As Kolkata went about a busy workday on March 12, something else was rumbling at the Gariahat Tram Depot, where environmental crusaders and students of a few city schools came together to celebrate the annual day of the organisation, Garbage Free India (GFI). The participants showcased handicrafts made with upcycled items, and enjoyed a tram ride around Kolkata
Photos: Soumyajit Dey
The members of GFI and Social Venture Partners (SVP) India, Kolkata chapter, posed for a group photo before flagging off the journey. Present were Shruti Ghose, co-founder and director (GFI); Arundhati Sen, chief strategy and partnerships officer (GFI); Debarati Kundu, programme lead, waste management (GFI); Snigdha Shah, CEO, SVP Kolkata chapter; Garima Chandak, programme lead of Dharti Saathi (GFI); Richa Dalmia and Adarsh Tulshan, lead partners, (GFI); artist Tamal Bhattacharya, and artist Bhabatosh Sutar of Chander Haat, among others
The students also exhibited their artworks made of upcycled materials like ropes and cardboard to build a mock solar system, wildlife sanctuary, ludo boards and more — displaying their creativity and penchant towards art. The exhibited projects, termed ‘Best Out of Waste’, were judged by artists Tamal Bhattacharya, Bhabatosh Sutar, Richa Dalmia and Pradip Das, along with others
The Tollygunge Club was awarded the Natural Heritage Award for turning food waste into compost. The club also piloted GFI’s ‘Grow It Don’t Throw It’ programme for large waste generators. The ceramic plaque is designed by Tamal Bhattacharya and is inspired from the traditional ‘panjikas’ used in earlier times, and is made on colocasia leaves. ‘I loved how the children conceptualised and created things out of waste materials,’ said Tamal
