No entry of plastics to Digha - violators to pay fines of Rs 300 to Rs 500

It is now No entry of plastics and thermocol to Digha - violators would have to pay fines of Rs 300 to Rs 500. All vehicles entering Digha would be searched from February 1 and those who are found to be carrying such items would be fined with amounts ranging from between Rs 300 and Rs 500.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 22 January 2016.

The East Midnapore district administration has successfully imposed a ban on plastic and thermocol products by levying fines on errant hotels and shops at Digha and has, now, decided to extend the cleanliness initiative to tourists. While the hotels and shops are abiding by the ban, those who arrive from outside to the resorts in their own cars or buses for picnics, are either unaware or are ignoring the ban that has been imposed.
The visitors coming for picnics, have their meals and then throw the plastic or thermocol bags, glasses and plates all over to create litter.
This has also came to the notice of chief minister Mamata Banerjee who was in Digha about a month ago and she has given instructions to implement strong measures to stop such environmental pollution.
Huge crowds are expected between 23 and 26 January and the administration would use that opportunity to pass on the message through microphones, banners and posters.

Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Lord Shiva and TV Reality shows (satire)

Moody hates to be cowed down by cows (satire)

Bengal’s solution to tackle air pollution (satire)


Goa Carnival Package by Indian Railways - train to leave Mumbai on Feb 5

Walmart surrenders to Amazon, decides to close down 269 stores in the US and Latin America

Mass burning of all cigarettes in Turkmenistan to stamp out smoking


David Bowie succumbs to his 18-month battle against cancer

Kangana Ranaut learns horse riding for her role in ‘Rangoon’

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to promote tourism in Bengal


At least seven killed in Jakarta suicide attacks near Starbucks cafe

More than 23 killed in Splendid Hotel, Burkina Faso, by al-Qaeda

Mastermind of Paris terror attacks entered Britain through Dover easily

Chief Minister of Gujarat announces ban on plastics

Leaders have taken to making announcements of banning use of plastics of less than 40-micros thick and, the latest entrant in this line is Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. She has announced a ban on the use of plastic in the state.
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 15 August 2015.

The reason for the ban was to ensure protection of environment, health of the cattle apart from cleanliness. The CM declared the plastic ban across Gujarat after unfurling the National Flag at the Independence Day ceremony at Lunavada in Mahisagar district.
As she has said – we opt for cow milk and ghee, then why shouldn't we take steps to stop using the plastic and take a pledge that we will not throw plastic outside? Of course – this could imply that use of plastics will continue, only we have to be careful not to throw away the packets outside!!
The intention is a noble one but, the extensive use of this environment pollutant in every walk of life is unimaginable. And, there are other implications in the form of loss of employment potentials. The plastic packet industry is a huge one and thousands would lose their jobs. Hence, unless employment potentials exist, such a ban would be counterproductive.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

Take care of the heart – a few dos and don’ts

Chinese research finds that spicy food is the secret to a long life

Swatchh Bharat campaign takes a beating in Delhi itself


Dame Julie Andrews to direct new ‘My Fair Lady’ in Sydney for 60th birthday of Opera Australia

There is a fight scene between Captain America and Spiderman in ‘Civil War’

Shah Rukh Khan’s fond wish - to see Ethan Hunt and James Bond in one movie


Parts of lost plane MH370 of Malaysia Airline washes up on Reunion Island

Niloy Neel, fourth blogger of Bangladesh, hacked to death in Dhaka

Suicide bombers attack Kabul –kill dozens of innocents


A street food named jhal muri

A tribute to Kishore Kumar, the legend, on his 86th birthday

The world of fuchka, golgappa and panipuri

Chennai to enforce ban on thin plastic bags from August 15

Chennai plans to strictly enforce a total ban on thin plastic bags that are less than 40 microns in thickness with effect from Independence Day and, while it would be a laudable step, it is anybody’s guess how successful it would be.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 14 August 2015.

Chennai produces 429 tonnes of plastic waste per day and stands second only to Delhi that generates 689 tonnes. In the Swatchh Bharat rankings that the ministry of urban development has recently released, Chennai is placed at 61 among 476 cities.
Corporation of Chennai has indicated that the ban on plastic has been in force but local bodies will now increase enforcement so that it ensures compliance with the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. Under this rule, it is not permitted to use any plastic of thickness less than 40 microns.
However, the plastic industry is worried. Chennai Plastic Manufactures and Merchants Association says that a complete ban on plastic is impractical. This is because there are more than 10,000 plastic manufacturers in the state. They generate direct and indirect employment for many thousands of people. If a total ban is introduced, it would affect them adversely.
It is a well-known fact that plastic pollution is harmful to the environment and, if a ban has to really be introduced, the authorities need to work out how best to rehabilitate those who depend on plastic bags for livelihood. (Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

Take care of the heart – a few dos and don’ts

Chinese research finds that spicy food is the secret to a long life

Swatchh Bharat campaign takes a beating in Delhi itself


Dame Julie Andrews to direct new ‘My Fair Lady’ in Sydney for 60th birthday of Opera Australia

There is a fight scene between Captain America and Spiderman in ‘Civil War’

Shah Rukh Khan’s fond wish - to see Ethan Hunt and James Bond in one movie


Parts of lost plane MH370 of Malaysia Airline washes up on Reunion Island

Niloy Neel, fourth blogger of Bangladesh, hacked to death in Dhaka

Suicide bombers attack Kabul –kill dozens of innocents


A street food named jhal muri

A tribute to Kishore Kumar, the legend, on his 86th birthday

The world of fuchka, golgappa and panipuri

Sit up and take notice – there are 268,000 tonnes of plastics floating in our Oceans

A recent study has discovered that there are nearly 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing more than 268,000 tonnes floating on the world's oceans. The study was on marine plastic pollution and the findings have been published in PlosOne.
The data was collected over a six-year period by researchers from six different countries – the plastic density data was from 24 expeditions into the five main oceanic basins and various marginal seas.
The weight and count data was collected by trawling nets for microplastics and systematic visual sightings were used for the larger macroplastics. The plastics were grouped into four size classes that roughly correspond to (i) the sizes of a grain of sand, (ii) a grain of rice, (iii) a small water bottle and (iv) anything larger.
Obviously, the plastics found in the Oceans had entered from rivers, shipping lanes and densely populated coastlines. The effects of such microplastic in the Oceans is a major environmental catastrophe because these are not bio degradable and would continue to remain and have dangerous interactions with entire ocean ecosystems that would destroy the marine life.
This is and should be a matter of grave concern for all of us who inhabit the Earth.

Bengalis and fish are inseparable

Fish are harmless creatures that are available in abundance on this planet – water constitutes ninety percent of the planet Earth and those who swim in these waters with complete abandon are also the gourmet’s delight. They vary in size from tiny shrimps to huge monsters of carps and catfish.
Bengalis are those who cannot survive without fish and, to them, life minus fish is no life at all. This is valid as long as he remains in Bengal but, once he leaves he has to, at times, make do with a life devoid of fish. If he does manage to lay hands on them once in a while, he is disappointed with the quality, taste and size of what is on offer.
Volumes have been written on fish and how best to prepare those dishes that tempt you into forgetting the calculations of calories. Nowadays, the trend is to take the help of the audio visual medium where each and every step is explained in details right from how to remove the scales of the fish, how to cut them down to size, how to fry or roast them followed by the intricacies of the gravy and, finally, the garnishing. The same fish can be prepared to impart different tastes – the art lies in the hands of the artists who are experts in adding just so much of something special to make you remember the taste for a long time.
An example is prawns – plain prawn curry with a base of ginger-onion-garlic paste has a specific taste. But, when the same prawns are mixed with raw mustard oil, grated coconut and green chilies and cooked in a closed container over a pot filled with water that is boiling over a low flame, the resultant preparation is exotic.
Similar is the case with the hilsa – these fishes are favorites of the Bengalis and, especially those that are found in the Padma River. Alas, it is now in Bangladesh and, occasionally, when stocks land up in the city markets of Kolkata, there is a mad rush. The prices might be astronomical (last heard of it was Rs 1200 per Kg) but who bothers – the taste is equally heavenly.
It is an indisputable fact that when hilsa fish are fried in mustard oil, the fragrance is felt not just in the particular house but in several adjacent blocks as well. And, the fragrance lingers on even after the fish have been digested!
However, all is not well on the fishy front - environmental pollution is taking a toll on their numbers and health. Due to global warming, ponds, lakes and rivers are drying up leading to destruction of habitat for the fish with resultant scarcity and rising prices.