A war on plastic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Age and physique have never been inevitable criteria for professional success. And especially when protecting the environment from the menace of the plastic, the disability may add to your vigour. Such are the cases of K R Raja and Nicholas Kimuyu, a Kenyan, who, in spite of their physical limitations, ventured to conduct a ‘better bags campaign’ as part of the World Plastic Carry Bag-Free Day which was observed on Sunday. Nicholas, who is partially blind, and Raja, who relies on crutches to move around, were instrumental in conducting an exhibition of  ‘’alternate bags’’ and a signature campaign against plastic bags that cause irreparable damage to the planet. ‘’Using plastic bags can’t be called a trifling problem. The ill-effects and health hazards they create can’t be ignored,” said Nicholas.The exhibition and the signature campaign were joint ventures of  the International Institute Of Social Entrepreneurs, Kovalam, and Thanal, a city-based NGO. The main theme of the exhibition was to prevent the use of plastic bags and promote eco-friendly re-usable bags. Various fraternities like Blue Triangle Stitching Unit of YWCA have decided to join hands with the efforts of Nicholas and Raju, who are both in their twenties. The effigy of a demon made by noted artist Easwar S from plastic bags was a big attraction at the exhibition.A bunch of foreign individuals from across the globe had come to express their solidarity to the cause.”The intention of these efforts is to create an impression on the public that localised events can contribute a lot in eradicating the plastic materials from their daily use. A better understanding of the world is needed to make it a better place to live,” said Catherine Lee, a  journalist and environmental activist from Texas. “And let others live,’’ added Karel and Peggy-Jane from Remarkable foundation, Netherlands.