The Capital has set another example, with Delhi government banning the use of plastic bags in all commercial establishments, including shops, hotels, hospitals and malls. Only bio-degradable and plastic bags of over 40 microns thickness are allowed. A hefty fine of up to Rs. 1,00,000 or up to five years imprisonment for the defaulters shows that this time the government means business.

Not only that, the move has been supplemented by the introduction of an alternative to the banned material – a new kind of plastic bag which is woven using old plastic. These bags will be sturdier than the ordinary ones, and solve to some extent the problem of plastic waste management.

In lieu of this, the government has given grants of over Rs. 2 lakhs to three NGOs to manufacture these bags, and another to manufacture cloth bags. This article in Expressindia also gives more details on the grant recipients and the way in which these bags will be produced on the ‘polylooms’.

Going forward the Delhi government and its active Department of Environment is also considering giving grants for the manufacture of jute bags and using plastic in the manufacture of roads, as has been undertaken in some other parts of the country, including Bangalore. The initiatives taken display a seriousness of purpose, as action is also accompanied by alternative options, so that there is an incentive and possibility for change. Another feather in the hat of the Capital, and one more example for other states to follow.

Read the complete article here.
Image Courtesy: www.tenthousandvillages.com (The bags shown in the image are illustrative, and not representative of the actual products mentioned in the article).

Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization trying to improve the lives of slum children via the medium of education, recently held a literary fest. The objective of the fest was to get these children excited about reading, and also to explore their and encourage their creativity in writing and expression.

Preeti Srivastav reports in ExpressIndia about the programme in which more than 300 children participated and enjoyed. Excerpts:

“Nothing can replace the joy of reading, but children are so over burdened with their courses that they tend to loose interest. We are conducting festivals of this kind to encourage reading among the children. These children hardly come across good books. So we are here to bring some good reading to them,” shares Reeves Rodrigues, general manager, Aakanksha foundation.

Read the rest of the article here, and check out the Akanksha Foundation and the work they do here. For people who love to work with children, especially in Mumbai and Pune, they could offer several opportunities for volunteering.