India imposed a ban on single use plastics but results are not showing even after three months

The ban on single use plastics imposed by India includes items like plates, cups, cutlery, straws, packaging films and cigarette packets. However, these are still in rampant circulation across the country and worsening pollution levels. Ravi Agarwal is the director of environmental NGO Toxics Link. He told a media outlet - "Though the central government has issued the ban, the implementation lies with the respective state governments and their state pollution control boards. The state's actions are not up to the mark; there seems to be lack of effective implementation strategy from the states to enforce the ban fully.” India uses about 14 million tons of plastic every year. The government has not issued any advisory on banning the use of SUPs. Neither are there any penalties. Therefore, SUP products continue to be available as usual. Why is India's single-use plastic ban failing? An official of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that in spite of the ban, the use of SUP items, specifically thin carry-bags, continues unabated in the low-end section of the economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that his government would be actively working towards a crackdown on plastic in its second term in power. However, plastic waste generated across the country daily is 26,000 tons. Out of this, more than 10,000 tons remain uncollected. One drawback is an organized plastic waste management system. In its absence, there is widespread littering and plastics end up in rivers, oceans and landfills. These pose threats to the lives of wildlife species. A senior official of CPCB says - "… we have directed strict enforcement of the ban, with a focus on street vendors, vegetable markets and local markets, along with checks at borders and inspection of concerned industries." It is necessary to improve waste segregation… and ramp up the infrastructure for recycling.

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I go to hospital for checkup and wake up in the ICU

It had been a hectic day for me. In the morning, there was a meeting with the GM and, by the time I came back to my office, there was this officer from HAL Lucknow who had come to reconcile the supply status of accessories supplied by Lucknow. He was a good friend of mine and my single point contact when I visited Lucknow.
We began the reconciliation activities and broke for lunch. He went to the canteen and I took my scooter home. It was the monsoon season and the rains kept coming on and off. Anyway, I finished my lunch and then, as per my routine, sat down before the TV and lit a cigarette while I watched some program. It was a habit and, even though my wife objected, I just could not kick the habit of smoking this cigarette after lunch.

But, that day was different. Suddenly the cigarette left a bitter taste in my mouth and, after a couple of puffs, I stubbed it out. I put on the raincoat and started the scooter but, after going some distance, I began to feel uncomfortable.
Anyway, after parking the vehicle in the parking lot I was in two minds – should I enter the factory or make a trip to the hospital and get some medicine for a quick relief. I stood in front of the scooter, took off the raincoat and stuffed it into the scooter dicky because the rains had stopped. Finally I decided to go to the hospital.
I reached the hospital at around 2pm – the duty doctor listened to my complaints, asked me to lie down on the inspection table, took the readings of my BP and pulse and that is all that I remember. I went out of this world. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the ICU – one of my friends was standing at the door of the ICU along with my wife and son. The time was around 10pm.
It came as a shock to me to learn that I had suffered a stroke!!
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)


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