Students, teachers told not to use plastic flags on Independence Day

Tirupati: Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) which decided to impose a total ban on plastic usage in the city from Gandhi Jayanthi day, October 2, took the occasion of Independence Day on Wednesday to make use of the patriotic spirit to impose ban on plastic usage.

Municipal Corporation commissioner V Vijay Rama Raju urged schools, colleges, government offices and denizens to avoid using plastic flags for Independence Day celebration.

The Commissioner who held a meeting with the officials of various departments in the corporation, asked them to see that only the flags made of paper and cloth used for the I-Day celebrations in the city. He wanted the people of Tirupati stand as model to the entire country by avoiding plastic flags during celebrations.

Corporation’s SPJN Municipal High School headmistress P Varalakshmi said that an awareness meeting held ahead of I- day to emphasise the children to carry or wear only paper flags during the celebration in the school. Teachers are also advising students to use only cloth or paper flags.

MCT which has been fighting against the plastic menace due to heavy flow of pilgrims. It took a decision to ban plastic from Gandhi Jayanthi day. The corporation preparing the ground for the implementation of plastic ban in the city by holding series of meetings with stake holders including whole sale merchants, super markets, retail shop owners, sweet stalls, curry points and street vendors from July 1 to 31.

In the second phase, the corporation held meetings with NGOs, social organisations including senior citizens associations and others seeking their active involvement.

Senior Sanitary Superintendent Gowardhan said on Monday and Tuesday, the corporation authorities held meeting with school headmasters of government and private schools. Competitions were held to municipal school children to create awareness to celebrate I-Day without plastic.