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Time of India
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Eco-Friendly rakhis trending ahead of Raksha Bandhan
1 2 Bhubaneswar: With Raksha Bandhan around the corner, climate-conscious youths in the city are increasingly choosing seed and organic rakhis over conventional plastic-based threads. Several organisations and individuals have stepped up to create innovative and eco-friendly alternatives that blend tradition with sustainability. Among them is the Bakul Foundation, which has been promoting seed rakhis for several years. "So, one gifts plants on Rakhi and can also plant the Rakhi itself," said Sujit Mahapatra, founder of the Bhubaneswar-based NGO. According to sources, these rakhis are handcrafted from handspun yarn made of organic cotton, naturally dyed, and embedded with living seeds. The packaging is equally eco-conscious, made from recycled wastepaper embedded with seeds, making it fully plantable and biodegradable. Buyers can choose from four categories of plants: medicinal, flowering, tree-growing, and indoor varieties. Options range from Brahma Dristi, Ajwain, and Insulin in the medicinal category to Ixora for flower lovers, and Baula, Panasa, or Amla for those wanting to gift trees. Indoor plants like Good Luck, Red Aglonema, and Snake Plant are also available. The seed rakhis come with various combinations of seeds such as sponge gourd, amaranthus, purslane, soybean, roselle, Malabar spinach, basil, cotton, and pumpkin. Entrepreneurs like Priyadarshini Das, who crafts rakhis using a wide variety of flower and vegetable seeds, say the demand has been encouraging. "I didn't expect this kind of response. Young people are coming to our stalls asking specifically for plantable rakhis. It's heartening to see tradition turning green," she said. Das has also created chocolate rakhis, which are edible and a big hit with children. For 21-year-old engineering student Arjun Panda, the decision was simple. "It's a small gesture, but it means a lot. My sister and I planted basil last year, and we still water it together," he said. Supporting the green shift, Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) is helping self-help groups (SHG)s with raw materials and market linkages for producing and selling seed and organic rakhis. Priced between Rs 15 and Rs30, these eco-friendly rakhis are not only sustainable but also affordable, making them a compelling alternative to plastic-based options.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Women self-help groups from Odisha's Cuttack produce handmade eco-friendly rakhis
CUTTACK: With Raksha Bandhan round the corner, various women self-help groups (SHGs) and producer groups across Cuttack district have come up with exquisite handmade eco-friendly rakhis, adding a special touch to the equally special occasion. Supported by state-run Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), these women are doing their bit for the environment besides showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit by crafting rakhis made of cow dung, bamboo and palm leaves, beautifully woven with intricate threadwork and fabric art. On Monday, Cuttack collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde inaugurated their rakhi shop at Annapurna Gramin Bazar near Zilla Parishad, Cuttack. Speaking on the occasion, joint CEO, ORMAS Bipin Bihari Rout said the initiative not only promoted the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan but also furthered the economic empowerment of women by providing a sustainable source of seasonal income. 'Made out of indigenous and eco-friendly materials, these rakhis reflect the artistic skills, dedication and hard work of the women involved,' he added.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Vedanta stall on women-led enterprises steals the show at Vikas Mela 2025 in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: A stall of Vedanta Aluminium showcasing the role of women-led enterprises in Kalahandi stole the show in the Vikas Mela 2025, hosted recently in the district to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government in the state. The kiosk showcased products from Vedanta Aluminium's flagship women empowerment initiative Project Sakhi, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women in shaping Kalahandi's development. The vibrant display of handmade products crafted by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the stall drew large crowd and widespread appreciation from dignitaries including district magistrate Sachin Pawar and senior officials from Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), and the District Planning and Monitoring Unit (DPMU). The visitors commended the high quality, creativity, and market-readiness of the showcased products, acknowledging them as a testament to Vedanta's sustained efforts in nurturing rural enterprises and women-led micro-economies in the region. 'The development of Kalahandi is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of its people. At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe women are the cornerstone of inclusive growth. Through Project Sakhi, we are enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and active agents of socio-economic change,' said Vedanta Alumina Business CEO Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Odisha BJP govt to celebrate 1st anniv from June 11 to 13
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has planned several programmes next month to celebrate the completion of the first year of the BJP dispensation in the State, officials said on Sunday. Several events such as publication of report cards, exhibitions and public meetings would be conducted at the block, district and State levels from June 11 to 13, they said. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Saturday held a meeting to make preparations for the celebration of the first anniversary of the Mohan Charan Majhi government, an official said. Ahuja advised secretaries of various departments to showcase their achievements through exhibitions, thematic discussions, cultural events, book fairs, information booths and art exhibitions. The State-level programme will be held here at Janata Maidan, while the districts will host three-day-long events and five-day exhibitions by Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), another official said. The Information and Public Relations department will release a booklet, highlighting notable achievements of various departments in the last one year of the State government. The achievements made in the execution of Central schemes and projects will also be highlighted in the report, the officials said. The Chief Secretary has also directed all major departments to release their report cards, highlighting their successes and achievements. The reports should include details of the government's efforts in welfare schemes, poverty alleviation and uplifting marginalised communities, he advised. The Culture department has been asked to organise an artist camp in support of the Lalithakala Akademi. The departments were also asked to publish success stories of various welfare schemes and activities of the government in newspapers and other media. On the completion of one year, the BJP government will also release the first edition of the 'Pragati Prabaha', highlighting all development initiatives of the government, the officials said. The aim is to spread awareness on how citizens have benefited from various schemes, and all departments have been asked to contribute success stories, they said. The BJP, which formed the government in Odisha for the first time on June 12 last year, has also planned to celebrate the first anniversary in a big way.
