bpb brings you a list of fun ways to make a difference in 2011. And you thought you were done with your list of New Year resolutions already.

*Big shout out to our contributors, Vijaya Pastala from Under The Mango Tree, Dorothy Wagle of the Salaam Balak Trust, JNM founder Mayank Gandhi, Pooja Warrier of UnLtd India, Riddhika Tulsiani of the Narmada Kidney Foundation, Sabina Gulati from Azad Bazaar and founder of the Bicycle Project, Hemant Chhabra.

Aids Sutra: With heart-breaking stories about HIV/AIDS by 16 contributing writers including Salman Rushdie, Kiran Desai and William Dalrymple, this Avahan sponsored book is a must-read. Proceeds from the book go towards educational opportunities for AIDS orphans in India. Available at Crossword and Amazon.com, Rs 395.

Altitude Store: An online store that promotes organic farmers from across India, selling everything from apple juice and lentils to hand-made paper through their online store. Visit www.thealtitudestore.com, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , start at Rs 40.

Animania: Hunt down this pretty range of products that promote the preservation of twelve endangered and sacred Indian animals, drawn by seven artists from across the globe. Products at Good Earth, Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel, call 24951954, 10% profits go to NGOs involved in animal conservation, start at Rs 400.

Anita Dongre Shop for Change: An initiative that provides fair wages for farmers and artisans, produces environment friendly products, and adds style to your wardrobe. Trifecta! Visit www.anitadongre.com, multiple outlets, start at Rs 1,200.  

Bicycle Project: Give your old bicycle to help tribal children who have to cover long distances commuting to school. You can even contribute by sponsoring the cost of refurbishing an old bicycle, or providing a space for the bicycles to be stored before they are transported.  Call Hemant on 9820149022, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit http://thebicycleproject.blogspot.com.

Blue Banyan: Blue Banyan’s silver jewellery champions a dual cause - raising your couture currency and supporting the employment of rural Indian artisans. Half of all profits from this jewellery label go back to the artists. Available at The Bombay Store, Fab India, Bombay Electric and Taj Khazana, start at Rs 500.

BNHS: Be a high flier with the 125 year-old Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) that lets you adopt an Imperial Eagle for just Rs 300, browse a butterfly museum and go camping in the Rann of Kutch. Activities in January 2011 include a wild trip to the Andaman Islands and brunch with birds.   Hornbill House, Dr. Sálim Ali Chowk, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, call 22821811, or visit www.bnhs.org for more information.

Body Shop: Lend a hand to The Body Shop’s initiative against sex trafficking by buying their Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream (Rs 345), profits from which go to partner organisations working for the cause. At multiple outlets across Mumbai.

Can’t Stop Reading: This yet-to-be-launched door-to-door library service plans to provide employment opportunities for the hearing impaired. Join the library or donate books at www.cantstopreading.com or email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CitiSpace: Does Mumbai have any open spaces left? Buy Breathing Space, a book launched by the NGO which fights to preserve open spaces, to find out. Available at the Citispace office, third floor, Civil Court, near Regal Cinema, off Colaba Causeway, Mahakawi Bhushan Marg, Colaba, call 22021621, Rs 350.

Cycle Chalao: It’s time to ditch your car. Cycle Chalao, a movement started by I Initiate to raise environmental awareness, provides bicycles to rent for short distances. Call 9867987031, or visit www.cyclechalao.com .

Diana Linda: In association with the NGO Damini, this expat artist and designer works with underprivileged women to create cute and kitsch products. Our current favourite: Indian boots. Visit http://dianalinda.com/collection.html#, start at Rs 2,000.

Ek Jodi Kapda: Backed by NGO Goonj and in association with Whirlpool, Ek Jodi Kapda lets you donate one unused piece of clothing to villagers who participate in community projects. For collection centres, visit www.ekjodikapda.com.

Fluid City: In collaboration with several city organisations, Art Oxygen launches The Fluid City on January 6 - a four day public art project that brings artists together to raise awareness about the city’s relationship with water. Visit www.artoxygen.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more.

Green Porn: If you’re scouring the internet for porn, do look up the Seduce Me series. A spin off from Green Porn, these two-minute comical films on the animal kingdom’s seduction rituals are cleverly hosted by veteran actress Isabella Rossellini, who’s ‘doing it’ for the environment. Watch it on http://www.sundancechannel.com/greenporno.

Haathi Chaap: Made out of elephant poo, these organic diaries, photo frames and bags are cute and do not smell. For that we’ve got to hand it to them. Available at Tappu Ki Dukaan, 27-A, Kermani Building, mezzanine floor, Sir P.M. Road, opposite Citibank, Fort, call 22043716, diary starts at Rs 300, Rs 200 for a photo frame. 

Indigreen: A fashion designer, environmental activist and movie poster painter collaborate to bring you clothes and accessories that will cause everyone around you to see green. To order visit www.etsy.com or www.indigreen.co.in, Rs 1,800.

Karuna: Facilitates mobile clinic and runs a free helpline that rescues and undertakes rehabilitation of animals. Call Karuna’s Animal Helpline on 9819100100, from 10 am to 8 pm or visit www.karunaforanimals.org.

Kria Bags: Under an income generation program, Kria produces carry bags using recycled paper for clients like O.M.O (Bandra), Levi Strauss and Bhandej. To place an order for paper bags, call 9820747145.   

Metta Foot Reflexology: Metta Foot Reflexology Center and Spa is your good knead for the year. Here, visually impaired masseurs are trained to locate your problem areas, coaxing the pain out with amazing dexterity. 53, Suravi House, Pali Village, Bandra (W), call 9870719923,  treatments start at Rs 300 for one hour.

Mirakle Couriers: This professional courier agency covering domestic and international mail employs low-income hearing impaired adults. Visit www.miraklecouriers.com, or call them at 9920079384.

Mumbai Community Card (MCC): If you’re saying no to plastic in 2011, you’ll have to make an exception for this one. Use this community card at any of their partner vendors – Bread Talk, Ferns n Petals, Seventy mm – and part of the transaction goes to child’s right organisation CRY. At no extra to you! Sign up for the card at www.mumbaicommunitycard.org.

Nero’s Guess: A movie on Indian farmer suicides, all proceeds from the sale of these DVDs are donated to various charities supporting rural causes. Buy at Azaad Bazaar, corner of 16th and 33rd Road, ground floor, opposite Mini Punjab, off Linking Road, Bandra (W), call 9930212636, Rs 500.

Nor Black Nor White: Uber cool garments for women, created using fair trade practices in collaboration with Kutch artisans. Find the Spring Summer 2011 collection on www.norblacknorwhite.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to place an order, price on request.

Queer Garage Sale: A garage sale with contributions from the queer community will be held in mid-January and promises to be quirky and fun. All proceeds will go towards funding the PRIDE march on January 29. For more details about the upcoming garage sale, call 9930212636.

Reality Tours and Travels: Relive the Slumdog Millionaire experience by taking a guided tour of one of Asia’s most famous slums. Profits from tours go to Reality Gives, an NGO that works to spread education in the area. Call 22833872 or visit http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com, short tour starts at Rs 500.

Tribal Route: This Mumbai lifestyle store has recently started stocking cute door frames and bar tables made using recycled wood. Here, you can also find Bollywood posters painted with eco-friendly colours, and cute plates and wine glasses made out of palm wood. Cottage Number 18, Aram Nagar 2, J.P Road, Versova, Andheri, call 9967058848, recycled furniture starts at Rs 1,500. 

SEWA: Border patrol, keep an eye out for SEWA’s exhibitions that stock one-of-a-kind saris, kurtas and fabrics designed by small businesss all over the country. To find about their next exhibition, call 05222615907, kurtas start at Rs 1, 200.

Shrujan: Shop for mobile and cushion covers, kurtas, quilts and saris made by women artisans in the Kutch region. Saagar Villa, 38, Bhulabhai Desai road, Opposite Navroz Apartment, call 23521693 or visit www.shrujan.org, kurtas start at Rs 2,000.

Under the Mango Tree: Sweeten your meals with organic honey by Under the Mango Tree run by MIT graduate Vijaya Pastala for the upliftment of farmers in India. Call 9833154478 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 200 onwards for 500 gms.

UnLtd India: Ongoing social entrepreneurship projects include Bombay Hub, a collaborative office space for social change markers, an urban organic garden, and more. Fourth floor, Candelar Building, 26 Saint John Baptist Road, near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W), call 3216 3287 or visit www.unltdindia.org.

Wikipedia: It needs $16 million to remain free of cost! To donate visit http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate.

Workshop Q: Trained at the Los Angeles’s Institute of Design and Merchandising, Radhika and Madhavi Kaitan transform scrap materials into quirky photo frames, alarm clocks, jewellery and other fun accessories. To place an order visit www.workshopq.com, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 580 for a photo frame.