CHENNAI, DEC 23
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday launched an environment-friendly initiative – Meendum Manjapai Vizhipunarvu Iyakkam – reviving the yellow coloured cloth bag that was an integral part of daily life in the past.
This awareness campaign on using ‘yellow’ cloth bag or ‘manjapai’ as it is called in Tamil, is aimed at encouraging the people to return to the use of this eco-friendly bag and discard the plastic bags.
Incidentally, manjal or turmeric has curative power.
Similarly, this campaign will put an to end to use of single-use plastic bag in Tamil Nadu.
இந்த முன்னெடுப்பில் மக்களாகிய நீங்களும் இணையுங்கள்! மக்கும் மஞ்சள் பைகளால் மண்ணைக் காப்போம்!#மீண்டும்_மஞ்சப்பை என்பது சுற்றுச்சூழல் மேல் அக்கறை கொண்டோரின் அடையாளப் பை என்றாகட்டும்! pic.twitter.com/PeopdY7nJe
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 23, 2021
Traditionally the manjapais were used for shopping, carrying books, ration and even cash. The state government had enforced a ban on the production, use, storage, distribution, transportation or sale of 14 types of plastics with effect from January 1, 2019.
Launching the campaign at the Kalaivanar Arangam here, the Chief Minister called for complete elimination of plastic bags which have become a major challenge to the environment. “But the yellow cloth bags are environment-friendly and ideal. Plastics are harmful to the environment and also to our health.” he said.
He gave away yellow bags to students, self-help group (SHG) members, policemen and government officials at the function in which Environment Minister Siva V Meyyanathan, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu, Rural Development Minister KR Periyakaruppan, DMK leader and MP Dayanidhi Maran and senior officials, including principal secretary to environment, climate change and forests Supriya Sahu, chairman of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board A Udhayan, and German Con Gen in Chennai Karin Christina Maria Stoll, participated.
Meanwhile, a human chain formed by 800 college students on the Cauvery Bridge in Tiruchi (connecting Chathiram area to Srirangam) in the early hours of Thursday highlighted the importance of using cotton cloth bag and saving the river from pollution.
Organised by MAM Business School in association with Thanneer, a voluntary organisation, and Thanneer Students Club, the ‘Save Cauvery River’ initiative saw college students, both men and women, hold up ‘manjappai’ (yellow cloth bag), and distribute them to the public.
The human chain was formed across the bridge from 8 am to 10 am.
