Green Team, a residents’ group in Indirapuram, has set new agendas for the cleanliness and the upkeep of the neighbourhood. Following up on previous sapling-planting drives, stopping the use of polythene bags and installing dustbins on roadsides are some of the major initiatives of this team, which consists of residents from various societies in Ahinsa Khand 2. Neighbourhood News
They have now started collecting used clothes from societies to make cloth bags that will be later distributed to local shopkeepers.
“We have divided the responsibilities among ourselves," said Jayati Jain, a member of the team. "We are now concentrating on a campaign against the use of polythene bags in the neighbourhood. We are using old paper to make 'thongas', or paper bags, while cloth from old sarees and bedsheets is being used to make bags." Indirapuram News
"One saree helps make about eight bags, while a bedsheet can help make about 10," she added.
About 50 Green Team members are participating in this initiative. According to an estimate, if one member can make 10 bags, there can readily be 500 bags without much difficulty.
A cloth bag made from an old saree
Speaking to City Spidey, Devyani Paramanand, another Green Team member and a resident of Ashiana Upvan society, said members are using old clothes that are generally given away or are left unused in houses. These bags are to be distributed to vendors and shopkeepers and can be reused.
“Initially, we had approached local tailors but realised that maids working in societies can also do the job. So we have now employed them — they can also earn a little extra money through this work,” Paramanand added. Apartment management system
“The paper for the thongas comes from old books and newspapers. I alone made 40 paper bags in about one hour and gave them to a local vendor,” said Jain.
A thonga made from an old book
Meanwhile, members of team have also planned to conduct nukkad natak (street plays), and drawing and poster-making competitions to spread awareness about issues such as the use of polythene, cleanliness and cleaning up after pets in public areas. Apartment management software
One such drawing competition for children is set to be conducted on August 27 at Niho Scottish Gardens.
The team has also planned to conduct health check-up camps for pets, which would further help awareness drives such as “scoop the poop”. Posters and banners made by children will be put up on society notice boards and roads to educate people about the awareness drives.
