Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
KOLKATA: For years, Subhas Datta has taken on the high and mighty in his obsession to save the environment. His green crusades forced the Kolkata Book Fair out of the Maidan despite objections from former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. He got powerful transport lobbies, including autorickshaw unions, to toe the line by petitioning for aban on polluting vehicles.
And now, Datta has decided to script a green wedding for his son. Right from distributing environment-friendly invitation cards to the use of only one block of wood at the Yajna to serving organic food at the reception, there's a green touch to every detail. "I want my son's wedding to set a new benchmark," he said.
The invitation cards have been crafted from water hyacinth . "A paper technologist hit upon the novel idea," said Datta. Even the Ganesha on the cover is made from the veins of coconut leaves.
"Around 100 solar lanterns will be strung up. In the dinner hall, each of the 15 tables will have solar lanterns. The reception area will have a lot of potted plants to offset the air-conditioning pollution load," he said.
On the menu will be spreads made from organic vegetables and fruits. If some of the greens are inorganic, they will be washed in potassium chloride to remove pesticides. Those who sit down to dine will use earthen plate, bowl and spoon. Others who prefer the buffet can use lighter plates made from betel-nut leaf brought from Trichi. Water will be tested for purity. The food waste will be sent to the Renewable Energy Centre.
What takes the cake though is the decision to cook a separate meal for street dogs. "Some animal activists pointed out that dogs fall ill after having the leftover food that contains a lot of oil and spices. Hence, we have asked the caterers to prepare a special rice and meat meal to feed street dogs in the locality," said Datta.
And though the reception is usually held two days after the wedding, Datta's son Sumanta's will take place six days later because Datta insisted it be held on a Sunday to ensure low congestion, and hence, less traffic pollution.
Despite all this, Datta said he would hand over Rs 5,000 to Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee as charges for creating additional waste.
Though his family has agreed on most of the decisions, what has really irked them is Datta's idea to make the groom travel to the wedding venue in a rickshaw. "Subhas wants the entire groom's relatives to also ride rickshaws to the wedding venue . Sumanta has flatly refused," said Datta's wife Swati.
Whether the activist wins this case as well will be revealed only on June 20.
Source: Subhas Datta scripts green wedding for son - Times Of India
And now, Datta has decided to script a green wedding for his son. Right from distributing environment-friendly invitation cards to the use of only one block of wood at the Yajna to serving organic food at the reception, there's a green touch to every detail. "I want my son's wedding to set a new benchmark," he said.
The invitation cards have been crafted from water hyacinth . "A paper technologist hit upon the novel idea," said Datta. Even the Ganesha on the cover is made from the veins of coconut leaves.
"Around 100 solar lanterns will be strung up. In the dinner hall, each of the 15 tables will have solar lanterns. The reception area will have a lot of potted plants to offset the air-conditioning pollution load," he said.
On the menu will be spreads made from organic vegetables and fruits. If some of the greens are inorganic, they will be washed in potassium chloride to remove pesticides. Those who sit down to dine will use earthen plate, bowl and spoon. Others who prefer the buffet can use lighter plates made from betel-nut leaf brought from Trichi. Water will be tested for purity. The food waste will be sent to the Renewable Energy Centre.
What takes the cake though is the decision to cook a separate meal for street dogs. "Some animal activists pointed out that dogs fall ill after having the leftover food that contains a lot of oil and spices. Hence, we have asked the caterers to prepare a special rice and meat meal to feed street dogs in the locality," said Datta.
And though the reception is usually held two days after the wedding, Datta's son Sumanta's will take place six days later because Datta insisted it be held on a Sunday to ensure low congestion, and hence, less traffic pollution.
Despite all this, Datta said he would hand over Rs 5,000 to Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee as charges for creating additional waste.
Though his family has agreed on most of the decisions, what has really irked them is Datta's idea to make the groom travel to the wedding venue in a rickshaw. "Subhas wants the entire groom's relatives to also ride rickshaws to the wedding venue . Sumanta has flatly refused," said Datta's wife Swati.
Whether the activist wins this case as well will be revealed only on June 20.
Source: Subhas Datta scripts green wedding for son - Times Of India