A milk vessel put freshly boiled. A familiar sight in many of our households – in fact, a cherished morning ritual for years. While the scene itself has remained constant over the years, what has evolved is the process leading up to this moment. Either due to conveniences or comfort. But can we really call it ‘evolved’?
Lets revisit our ways of Milk collection in olden days s
Scenario #1 : The Good Old Ways
This journey transports me to the summer holidays I used to spend at my Grandma’s place. The mornings were vastly different from the hustle and bustle of city life. While city mornings are filled with individual family activities, in the village, it’s a collective endeavor.
In each household, someone awaits the arrival of the milkman, eagerly clutching a vessel, hoping for that perfect cup of morning tea. 
The milkman’s presence is marked by the distinct sound of his motorbike as he enters the neighbourhood. The louder the sound, the closer he is. Occasionally, he takes his time, catching up on street gossip or exchanging greetings at every doorstep. Finally, when your turn arrives, you step out with your trusty steel or brass vessel.
After the customary greetings, the milkman prepares to dispense your share of milk. Here’s the trick – you can’t hold the vessel loosely; it must be gripped firmly to withstand the force of the milk pour. Even then, some spillage was inevitable, a testament to our occasional unpreparedness.
We directly put the collection vessel onto the stove, all set to be boiled and to be used for the day’s demands.
Scenario #2 : Present Day
We wake up from our bed hoping the milk is delivered outside our doorstep, without we have opted to not being disturbed. Also, we have the convenience of tracking / pausing the delivery as and when required, along with seemless payment methods. We collect the packets delivered. Packets which bear the claims of quality assurances.
We cut open the milk packets into an alloted vessel and put it for boiling. And we have reached the same scene again.
How do we club the goodness of both?
As wonderful and vibrant as the practices of The Good Old Days were, we do need more convenient ways to incorporate their essence into our modern lifestyles. The perfect blend would be:
Opt for milk delivery directly from a dairy: Locate a nearby dairy farm, and if necessary, pay them a visit and subscribe to their services. Opt for milk collection without the need for packets or bottles. This way, we also support our local dairy providers.- Managing milk packet disposal: Milk packets are undeniably convenient. We can continue using them with a slight alteration to our daily routine. Instead of tearing off the entire top, cut the packet horizontally (parallel to its edges), fold it back, and empty the contents. Rinse the packets twice and stick them to a wall; they’ll air dry naturally.
For the best approach, hand over the dried packets to your maid on a weekly basis to prevent any odors from developing. Ask them to submit the packets to the nearest scrap dealer or recycling center, as it might earn them some extra money. They’ll likely find their way to dispose of them properly.
When it comes to leading a sustainable lifestyle, our elders lived it without even being aware of the term we use today. There’s no one better suited to guide us on this journey. Let’s infuse their wisdom into our modern lives, and here’s to many more valuable lessons ahead.
