Saved by the Bell

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A UN study estimates that up to 70 percent of married women in India face domestic abuse. And what can you do to help them? Ring the doorbell. It’s that simple, claims the Bell Bajao campaign (http://www.bellbajao.org/), launched in 2008 by Breakthrough, an international human rights organization that uses media channels to change perspectives and erase biases in India and the United States. And starting last week, they moved into fashion as well.

Bells and Whistles

Unlike the banal and exorbitantly expensive products such campaigns usually churn out, the Bell Bajao merchandise, which includes T-shirts designed by Narendra Kumar and Lecoanet Hemant (start at Rs 500) and a tote bag by Aki Narula (Rs 2,000), are uber-cool and surprisingly affordable.

We especially love the tote, which is large enough to hold your entire life and stylish enough to take to lunch. It has six large pockets in which you can stash your keys, cell phone, wallet, make-up, each adorned with a different bell illustration and Aki’s signature (which we could have done without). Only bummer: the bag is made from white canvas, and if you’re anything like us it’ll be grimy in a week. We were assured, however, that it can be hand-washed without damage.

The unisex graphic T-shirts are fun and less expensive, but we imagine them being relegated to our sleepwear drawer after a couple of wears in public.

Final Musings

You can find the merchandise all this month at Muse, a luxury fashion store in Kala Ghoda. Be sure to check out their regular stock as well – nicely curated clothes and accessories by designers like Anupamaa, Gaurav Gupta and Manish Arora, as well as some international brands. They’re currently on sale, so you might just find something that won’t cost you a month’s rent.

Happy shopping, and remember – ring the bell!

Getting there: Muse, 46, Dr VB Gandhi Marg, opposite the blue synagogue, near Rhythm House, Kala Ghoda.