#NOPLASTIC THIS KANJAK, SAY DELHINCR RESIDENTS
Delhiites and Gurugrammers are shunning plastic containers and switching to ecofriendly gifts — steel crockery, school bags, and more
Chhole, puri, and halwa in plastic containers? It’s a big no for environmentconscious residents of the Capital. This Kanya Puja/ Kanjak, observed on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri, citizens are giving away prasad in eco-friendly utensils, while urging others to shun plastic, too.
The day is celebrated by welcoming at least nine girls to one’s home for a meal, and giving them gifts. This year, some of the common gifts are accessories, school bags, stationery, and books. Meaningful activities such as a pledge to impart education will also be part of these celebrations.
“One can switch to steel crockery instead of plastic or styrofoam ones. People who make them (plastic containers) are just minting money. But it is the environment, us and our children, who will suffer. Children who come and have the prasad end up eating in toxic styrofoam plates, and get these plastic containers as gifts. One can instead give them sweets or even money as shagun,” urges Shalini Sahwney, a resident of Sector26, Gurugram, and an environmentalist, adding, “One can also give them stationery, reading material, or hair accessories.”
Kavita Bansal, a homemaker from Gurugram’s Sector 54, too, feels that steel plates can be reused by the underprivileged kids.
“If we are giving prasad to little girls, we should refrain from giving it in plastic. We can use steel. For gifting, let’s gift a steel water bottle, or teach them good habits such as washing hands in line with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Pledging to volunteer for imparting education would also be a meaningful gift.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Radhika Malhotra, a Delhi resident, is distributing steel plates to young girls, and encouraging others in her neighbourhood to do the same.
Another Gurugram resident, Nina Gupta, will be distributing cloth bags and steel containers to needy kids in her vicinity. “We had a puja in our society, and a lady used paper bags. So, there are people who are setting examples. For Ashtami, I’ll be distributing prasad in steel containers to a paathshala that has underprivileged kids. The cloth bags will be of great use for the girls later on. I’ll be making them myself from bedsheets.”
Deeksha Mehta, a homemaker from Rajouri Garden, who has started a crockery bank in Delhi, will be distributing steel lunch boxes to children.
“Let us all come together to manage waste efficiently and say good riddance to plastic. Let’s celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly way. People can also borrow utensils for their pujas and satsangs, instead of using disposables. If not steel, we can give pencils that have seeds in them to encourage the habit of plantation, ”she says.
For Ashtami, I’ll be distributing prasad in steel containers to a paathshala. The cloth bags will be of great use for the kids later on. NINA GUPTA GURUGRAM RESIDENT