Raipur (Chhattisgarh): Surendra Bairagi, a green crusader, of Raipur, has been creating awareness among people not to use plastic or poly bags for the past several years. Popularly known as 'Bartanwale Baba', Surendra also tells people not to use items made of cellophane during a wedding ceremony or events like birthdays, housewarming, or others.
In 2016, Surendra set up a 'Bartan Bank' (utensil bank) for providing steel utensils to people free of cost. When Sunrendra's free service started, his 'Bartan Bank' can arrange utensils for 50 people. He purchased utensils catering to the needs of 50 people from the pension money of his mother and what he had saved for his rainy days. Speaking about the campaign, Surendra said, "Taking a cue out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to people in 2014 to avoid using single-use plastic, I started working on the project. We made arrangements of providing utensils to an event or gathering where 50 people can take food on steel plates. Over some time, our project expanded."
Earlier, it was a small start. "But several people began joining the campaign gradually. People started donating utensils to our Bartan Bank. Now, we can provide utensils for a community feasting or any other function wherein at least 1,000 people can eat food simultaneously. Besides, we provide steel utensils for the preparation of food also," Surendra added.
The steel utensil is provided to people on the condition that they will not use items made of plastic, cellophane, or other harmful material during the wedding ceremony or other events. Those availing of the service are supposed to give a pledge in writing that they will not use plastic while organising the function.
