BHUBANESWAR: In a unique initiative to celebrate organic and environment-friendly
Raksha Bandhan,
Bakul Foundation launched green rakhi with an organic seed and gift plants. The rakhis are made from threads made of non-GM indigenous cotton and hand weaved yarns in charkhas so that users can plant it after the festival.
“The main objective of launching green rakhis is to inculcate the habit of plantation and protection of environment among youngsters. This will also a means of strengthening our bonds with our natural ecosystem, our agriculture and our farmers and the artisans, who spin, weave and add colours to the fabrics of our lives,” said Sujit Mahapatra, founder of Bakul Foundation.
The organic rakhis are containing seeds of Amaranthus and bixa inside, which can be planted after the occasion. No chemical has been used in these organic rakhis, each costing Rs 50 while a combo pack of rakhi and a plant sapling is priced at Rs 250.
And in return gift for sisters, there is a huge variety of plant saplings. Interested people can buy a packaged gift plant, which could be a tree growing plant like mango, jackfruit, Jamun, sapeta or a medicinal plant like insulin, tulsi or a flowering plant like exora, vinca in lovely white baskets along with a handmade organic rakhi.
“We have brought around 100 seed bands this year from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. If we get bulk orders for organic rakhis then we may bring more,” said Mahapatra, who started ‘My Tree Campaign’ to promote tree gifting as a cultural practice by associating it with cultural festivals such as Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Friendship Day, Teacher’s Day, Father’s Day Mother’s Day and on the occasion of other Indian and western festivals in 2009.
“In the past nine years since the campaign started, there has been a significant change. Initially, people found it difficult when we talked about the culture of gifting plants, now, many people understood, appreciated and had started the practice of gifting plants,” Mahapatra added.
When the market is flooded with various types of rakhis made of silk and metal threads, stones and beads green rakhi has attracted many. “This concept of green rakhi is something different and also interesting. I think it will appeal the younger generation as the awareness about the use of polythene and chemicals has increased over the years. I got two organic rakhis for my brothers,” said Barsha Priyadarshini, a college student.
No chemical has been used in these organic rakhis.
