Noida: Ahead of Raksha Bandhan on Monday, students from a school run by a local NGO tied rakhis made from recycled plastic on the wrist of GB Nagar district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma on Saturday at his camp office in Sector 27. The initiative is a part of the ‘plastic lao shiksha pao’ drive of the Challengers’ Group, a local social organisation. Children from the slums, involved in ragpicking, are asked to deposit single-use plastic or plastic bottles as the school fee.
The children are taught how to reuse, reduce, and recycle these bottles and plastic bags. “The DM inquired how these rakhis are made and appreciated our effort. He encouraged us to focus on our studies and continue such efforts,” said Chandni Kumari (16), a resident of Chauda village near Sector 22.
The DM appreciated the children's initiative and extended his blessings, acknowledging the importance of sustainability. “It was a praiseworthy initiative. I have assured them that I would extend all my help to them,” he said.
The students were taught how to make recycled rakhis by Nidhi Chaturvedi, a resident of Sector 22, and Gitika, a resident of Kendriya Vihar, Sector 82. “This initiative is designed to accomplish three main goals with one action: environmental education, skill development, and community involvement. Our students have earlier presented crafts made out of waste to the President of India Draupadi Murmu, GB Nagar police commissioner Laxmi Singh, and actor Sonu Sood,” said Pri.