PLASTIC MANACE - PEOPLE'S PANACEA

In my previous blogging dicourse dt.30.9.2008 I was ruminating on the personal problems that I confronted in my readjustment in settling in Chennai from the Nilgiris. While trying to float along with the winds of change in the new set up, I am unable to cope with the sight of heaps of used polythene bags anywhere and everywhere. Having been destined to rent a house in suburbon area of Chennai on Old Mahabalipuram Road, close to Sholinganallur, I used to try occasional evening walk along the OMR road and in interier settlements. Invariably I forget that I am mortally in Chennai and am not still in the Nilgiris hills. Why such thoughts ? What business polythene bags and plastic materials have to do with drawing a comparison between Chennai and Nilgiris.

The other day, during one such walking sojourn, I could witness a stray dog, spalashed with remains of thrown-over food all over its body,was busily poking its nose in a heap of used polythene bags in a by-lane leading to a residentail area on the sidelines of Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR for brevity). The scene temporarily changed. A neatly attired youngster with his neck under strangulation from a broad a tie, approached the heap of polythene bags. He himself was carrying a big polythene bag, seemingly containing left-over food as is evident from the yellowish 'sambar' curry oozing out as he walked. On his having approached the said heap of bags, the dog which was engrossed in enjoying its supposedly last supper, seemed to have been disturbed that a human mortal was encroaching its jurisdiction, denying its rightful place for food. The next moment, everthing around was a chaotic situation. The dog gave a firm warning by incessent howling that the gentleman should better keep away from the heap and try a throw the polythene bag in his hand from a distance to the dog's convenience. The order having been executed, brought a new situation. The thrown bag even before reaching its decided destination, fell on bike-rider who happend to wheel across from a by-lane.
The net result is a 'Piccadly Circus' , as E.M Forester narrated in one of his essays, resembling a similar situation. But thank Almighty ! Forester's men did not have the courage to practice playing hand-ball with left-over food in polythene bags ! Here, this blogger is not interested in the incident, but in the lesson one has to learn.

Used polythene bags thrown all over and everywhere posses serious health problems. Universally, nations are taking appropriate measures to quell their usage, much less their publc exibitionism. It requires stern rules and public awareness for proper usage and correct disposal. Polythene bags caught in the soil have the tendency even to change the course of water table and soil structure. The biggest menace to the ecology is plastic products. This does not mean that the whole world should be fully free of plastic products. Polymer tecnology has done wonderful things for the convenience of people.

While on the subject, one epochal movement in the Nilgiris district in Tamilnadu should draw our attention. The credit for such a movement for banning the usage of polythene bags should go to Mrs.Supriya Sahu, I.A.S., the then Collector of the Nilgiris district in Tamilnadu, India. Her initiative caught the attention of the general public and the same was converted into a public a movement.
She dared to promulgate district-specific rules to arrest the usage of polythene bags. Those found throwing used polythene bags in the roads and street- corners were severly dealt with. Usage of paper bags was encouraged and rewarded. Students came forward in taking forward the movement to the public. Non-governmental organizations extended a helping hand in organizing seminars, debates on the avoidance of using polythene bags and their proper disposal. During her stint as the Collector of the Nilgiris, she could achieve a near total plastic-free environemnt in the Nilgiris district. Hats off to her !

In Chennai, till such time another Supriya Sahu comes to the fore front, let us, as socially conscious citizens, take a vow not to throw used polythene bags in roads, drainages, street corners, and places wherever public gather. Let us make it a habit that we collect our small purchses from petty shops in paper packs and paper"pottalams". Why not the students of Chennai city lead the public in forming a movement as in the Nilgiris district ? Too much didacting , eh....?