Want to Make a Birthday Extra Special? Take a Cue from This Retired Professor

The omnipresence of plastic, in places of worship, hospitals, shops and everywhere else, is unnerving, and one man takes his crusade against plastic very seriously.

Professor Rajamani Ramakunja, a retired professor, hates plastic so much, he distributed boards with a message against plastic use, along with a revised edition of his booklet ‘Plastic Plastic.’ This happened on Monday—incidentally, the birthday of his youngest daughter.

This is nothing new for the professor. For years he has been spending time, spreading awareness against the usage of plastic. He says the boards are a new idea, a warning message to the people, to save the environment by stopping the use of plastic.

According to a report in the Bangalore Mirror, Prof Rajamani brought out the booklet ‘Plastic plastic’ in Kannada about six years ago. The booklet speaks about how plastic is manufactured and the harm it causes to the environment.

‘Plastic plastic’ has around 2000 printed copies, and Prof Rajamani has distributed around 7,000 booklets in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, free of cost. Now, he sells the booklet, which speaks of plastic manufacture, and environmental damage—for a paltry sum of Rs 5.

The professor spreads awareness in his hometown’s high schools through presentations and short videos and wishes to reach out to all the houses in Bantwal, for the board.

Disappointed with the rampant use of plastic, he claims that the dumping yard and roadside waste have more than 60% plastic. He built his own home 14 years ago, and even today, finds plastic in the soil, when he digs.

Prof Ramakunja owns ‘Saridantara Prakashana’—the venture which is undertaking the boards. However, he is open to outside sponsorships. The widespread prevalence of plastic ensures the professor doesn’t rest. In addition to his crusade, he has also trekked with Sahyadri Sanchaya—an organisation working to protect the Western Ghats—and gets very upset when he finds plastic at sensitive trekking spots.

You may also like:- How a Shark with Plastic in It’s Stomach Pushed K. Vinod to Start a Beach-Cleaning Drive

His continuous work against the environmental-killer ensures that any function at his home, whether a wedding anniversary or a gruha pravesha (house warming ceremony), is not complete, without first spreading awareness regarding the harmful nature of plastic.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?