An Eco Mela at Juhu stocks cane bangles from Kerala, desserts served on banana leaves, and lets you take home a free custom-made cloth bag made from your old dupatta
An Eco Mela at Juhu stocks cane bangles from Kerala, desserts served on banana leaves, and lets you take home a free custom-made cloth bag made from your old dupatta
In between unpacking all the material that they have sourced for the Hara Bhara Jhola Mela, Monisha Narke tells us the story behind Are you Recycling? (RUR). "It all started a year ago, when I decided to live by the motto, my home, green home. Gradually, some young mothers joined me and we've kept ourselves busy with green events that we hold every month," says the Mumbai homemaker. Hara Bhara Jhola Mela, an eco-friendly fair that kicks off in the city today, is the latest event these ladies have organised.
The organisers want you to bring along old dupattas, bedsheets and sarees, and any other material you think can be recycled to make a sturdy and vibrant bag that can carry groceries and vegetables. What do I get in return, did you ask? For one, you enjoy the satisfaction of having done something to save planet Earth. Those looking for material gratification get to take home a free pouch or bag made from their discarded dupatta.
The rest of the bags RUR makes from your donations will be distributed across supermarkets and to regular bhajiwalas so that they can propagate the use of cloth bags over polythene ones. "We've already collected tonnes of dupattas during the recycling drive. The idea is to convince you that you can make something valuable by a simple act of recycling," says Monisha.
Shopaholics can check out stalls that will be stocked with green goodies, ranging from jewellery to stationery and health food. RUR has sourced funky cane bangles from Kerala and recycled tetrapack stationery from Daman, for the mela. Health food products by chef Vijaya Venkat will be available too. "Even the brownies at the food stall are going to be served in banana leaf wrapping," smiles Monisha.
And, if all the shopping and bag-making gets you tired, chill over a couple of eco-games, where you get to win eco-friendly products as prizes.
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On: Today, 11 am to 7 pm at 28, Silver Sands Bungalows, near Sea Princess Hotel, Juhu Tara Road, Vile Parle (W).
Call: 26602929 / 9820578979