In March 2018, the government declared a ban on plastic. We saw many photos and videos on how plastic is affecting our environment. Many of these photos, videos, and infographics were mind-shattering. We have destroyed a lot already and its time we act on our actions. The government fined people using single-use plastic with Rs 500. I started seeing a lot of ads for cloth bags for vegetables and daily grocery. These cloth bags were in high demand.

People started carrying cloth bags everywhere with them. And if they forgot to carry bags, vendors would give newspapers pages to carry vegetables and fruits. It was very difficult for everyone to adjust to this change. People were scared of paying the fine more than caring for the environment. Whatever it was, the important thing was, that readily available plastic was decreasing.

Last month, I went to a vegetable market, I was carrying my own cloth bag. I purchased a few vegetables from a vendor and he poured all of it in a big plastic bag. I was shocked to see him using a plastic bag without any hesitation. “I have my own bag, don’t give me that plastic bag,” I told him. He looked at me and laughed, “Don’t worry Madamji, no one is going to fine you or me. Municipality people have forgotten about this plastic ban. Take this plastic bag, it is raining outside. This will save your vegetables.” I was raged with anger. I did not understand what to say to him. Was he unaware about the effects of plastic, was he just ignoring the environment? People are still using plastic in their daily life. Yes, it is difficult but one should at least try.

A few weeks back, I went to pick my son from school. I had reached early so I was just standing in front of the school gate. There are 2 schools in the same vicinity and the school times vary with just 15 minutes. So students and their parents from the next school were passing by. Just opposite to the school sits a fruit vendor, who comes during school time only. One girl was walking with her mother and she saw pomegranates in his fruit basket so she told her mother to buy them. Her mother promptly purchased it and took a plastic bag out from the purse and put those pomegranates in the bag. Looking at this, her daughter told her mother, “Mummy, don’t use a plastic bag. It’s hazardous to our environment and animals and birds. Also, it is banned. I will inform the Municipality people that are still using plastic.” Her mother snapped, “Shut up and walk, don’t teach me what’s wrong and what’s right.” Even small kids are understanding the cons of using plastic, then why are we being ignorant about it?