MP: Biaora's Plastic-Free Initiative Featured in Modi's Mann Ki Baat, What PM Said Women's Inspiring Efforts?
The 135th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ was broadcast on Sunday. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav listened to the programme along with villagers and public representatives in the hill-station village of Kukru in Betul district.
For Biaora town in Rajgarh district, Sunday became a moment of immense pride as Prime Minister Modi highlighted the town's ongoing Plastic-Free Campaign during Mann Ki Baat. He wholeheartedly appreciated the exemplary efforts of the women of Biaora and environmentally conscious organisations for their commitment to social welfare.
Describing the initiative as an outstanding example of ‘people's participation driving social transformation’ and ‘Waste to Wealth’, PM Modi said it serves as an inspiration for the entire nation.
PM Modi Modi said that he had learned about a group of women from Biaora who resolved to rid their surroundings of plastic waste. Rather than waiting for others to take the lead, they began collecting plastic waste and discarded bottles from across the town. Their initiative soon evolved into a mass movement. The collected plastic is now being recycled and used to beautify public spaces across the town.
Hundreds of kilograms of plastic has been recycled
Over the past few months, hundreds of kilograms of plastic has been recycled and put to productive use. Plastic that once contributed to pollution is now enhancing the city's aesthetics through the dedicated efforts of these women. The Prime Minister congratulated all the women of Biaora and everyone associated with the campaign for their inspiring contribution to society.
Prime Minister Modi’s recognition of the Biaora campaign on a national platform, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, is a matter of pride for the entire Rajgarh district and Madhya Pradesh. It demonstrates that when society collectively resolves to bring about change, even a small initiative can gain national recognition and become a source of inspiration for the country.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, expressing happiness on the social media platform X, said that Prime Minister Modi had lauded the women of Biaora for their efforts to recycle plastic waste and produce eco-bricks. He described the initiative as an inspiring example of environmental conservation while also promoting women's self-reliance.
Eco-bricks are manufactured from plastic and polythene waste
Under the leadership of Anil Kushwaha, Convener of an environmental organisation in Biaora, the campaign has been collecting single-use plastic and polythene waste from households across the town for the past several months to manufacture eco-bricks. These eco-bricks are being used to create benches, decorative installations, garden furniture, and other utility items for parks and public spaces. The initiative has successfully transformed the concept of ‘Waste to Value’ by converting plastic waste into a valuable and reusable resource.
The campaign's greatest strength is community participation. Homemakers across the town segregate and collect plastic waste from their households, traders hand over plastic waste generated by their establishments, and local youth voluntarily devote time every day to the environmental mission. The organisation has established Plastic Banks and Bottle Banks, enabling citizens to conveniently deposit plastic waste. Awareness programmes are also being conducted in schools to inspire the younger generation to contribute to environmental conservation.
A team of youth and women now voluntarily participates
Organisation member Tarun Sen said that a team of 40 to 50 youth and women now voluntarily participates in the campaign every day. So far, more than two quintals of plastic waste have been converted into eco-bricks and utilised at various locations across the town. Growing support from traders and citizens has transformed the initiative into a widespread people's movement.
The Biaora Municipal Council has also joined the initiative and expressed its commitment to promoting the wider use of eco-brick products in parks and other public spaces.