Special mela to focus on `Reuse Waste` message

With the entire world celebrating the International Recycling Week, the citizens of Bangalore also have come forward lending their support for the cause. As part of this unique initiative, a special mela will be held at Mantri Mall from November 10 to 13.
Spreading the message of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle", the mela is organized as part of the first-ever Bangalore Recycling Habba 2011. The event is arranged by the Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bangalore (SWMRT), supported by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Karnataka High Court Legal Services Committee.
Making it as attractive as possible, the event stands up for the cause in various parts across the city. "The aim of the organizing committee of the Bengaluru Recycling Habba and all members of the SWMRT is to bring together the stakeholders of the city, namely, the Government, industry, and the civil society, to find sustainable solutions to Bangalore's growing solid waste issues.We have organized the 'habba' in a collaborative and celebratory manner to encourage the sharing of ideas and responsibilities in an effort find a way out and free us all from the menace of trash in the city," said Jenny Pinto, Habba Curator.
With special events organized as part of the mela, the entire Malleshwaram will witness a wonderful show for three days. Right from special useful exhibits made of waste materials, different handicrafts will be displayed on the occasion. Special craftsmen from various parts of the city have been roped in especially for the designing of the items. Using waste aluminum and copper wires, wonderful decorative items will be put on display on the occasion. With stalls on designer fashion, stationery, toys, bags, jewellery, home accessories, all made from recycled materials, the mela will showcase an attractive collection.
The mela will also focus on the issues and solutions of solid waste management. 
There will be not only exhibitions but also special quiz competitions. Films will be screened highlighting the condition of landfills in the city and of the poor living conditions rag pickers. "We are planning to make this event as attractive as possible. We will be using all the mediums to spread the message that there is nothing like waste. We have roped in RWAs and various other institutions to participate in the event," said N S Ramakanth, member, Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bangalore (SWMRT).
Special competitions are also held for RWAs and institutions across the city, with the one saving the largest amount of waste emerging as the winner. Various events are also planned in different parts of the city as part of the campaign to spread the message of 'Think before you throw'. According to the organizers, the event is expected to be a success and will be made on a larger scale in the coming years.
With the unique initiative supporting a social cause, the mela is sure to attract the maximum number of people across Malleshwaram.
—SUCHITRA PILLAI