Avoid plastic bag, win a Paithani saree

This month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's B ward will be felicitating four women by gifting them paithani sarees made by renowned Yeola artists from Nashik district. These women were winners of a unique lucky draw undertaken by the BMC.

As part of a 'say no to plastic' campaign, officials at the B ward's Thursday market began issuing lucky draw tokens to women carrying cloth bags. Eight months later, results of the draw were announced, and BMC officials will soon be gifting four 'lucky' winners paithani sarees designed by artists from Yeola.

Officials said the winners of the first draw are Yojana Sevekar, Sukhada Mujurkar, Madhuri Shette and Lukman Shaikh.

"Through this (lucky draw) initiative, we wanted to promote the use of cloth bags among citizens. I am not against the use of plastic bags but people must know how to reuse it. Plastic is a friend but should be utilised properly and with care," Udaykumar Shirurkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, B ward.

One of the winners, Yojana Sevekar, 42, said, "It is a good initiative to encourage citizens to use cloth bags. I have now got into a habit of using cloth bags. I am also raising awareness on reusing plastic or opting for cloth bags among my neighbours and family members."