S. Vishnu Sharma
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) organised ‘Best from Waste’ programme and organic farmers market on its campus recently with a motive of promoting green living. The event was organised in partnership with two organisations namely Citizen ‘Consumers and Civic Action Group’ and ‘Organic Farmers Market.’
Best from waste programme featured stalls comprising products made out of recycled and upcycled products like wooden notebooks, clay bottles, cloth diapers/pads, lanterns made from old bottles, puppets made out of socks. The stalls in the Organic Farmers Market featured provisions and clothes made through organic means.
Sources from IIT Madras said this event was held on the campus for the first time. Dr. Jane Prasad, Registrar, IIT Madras, said the programme is an attempt to sensitise all the students and residents on campus on the ill-effects of plastic use and the need for adopting an environment-friendly lifestyle for a sustainable future.
Professor V.R. Muraleedharan, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras said, the produce sold at the organic farmers market included a wide variety of locally-grown rice, cereals, millets, pulses, oils, spices, sweeteners, honey, dry-fruits and beverages and others.
IIT Madras
The special point was regarding those who visited the exhibition. They were advised to bring their own carry bags and containers as an eco-friendly measure to avoid the use of plastic bags by the vendors.
IIT Madras has laid a major emphasis on eco-friendly similar initiatives towards an ecologically responsible campus by implementing an array of eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives. From waste segregation at the source to a sophisticated Sewage Treatment Plant, the Institute has taken up wide-ranging steps in this regard.
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