Published in Dwarka Express on 8.10.22

It’s a vending machine with a difference and the launch goes viral in social media though the same was launched 4 months back on the World Environment Day on 5^th June 2022 in Greater Chennai Corporation jointly with Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board. You just insert the Rs 10 coin and a yellow cloth bag will pop out. Entitled ‘meendum manjappai’ in Tamil meaning ‘yellow bags again’ means that use of cloth bags again’. What is so significant about yellow cloth bag. What is the background? Not long ago, all stores & shops used to give typical yellow coloured carry bag for buyers as a compliment. The bags used to carry the advertisement about shops or occasions. In every marriage house, guests used to get a complimentary yellow bag consisting of Coconut, betelnut, blowse piece for ladies, sweets etc. This yellow bag is religiously preserved by tamilians to re use for purchasing vegetables and provisions in their day today life. In fact a ethnically dark complexioned Tamil guy was always depicted wearing a dhoti, carrying an yellow bag in hand and wearing bright ash lines on the forehead. All said and done, a Tamilian is always admired by other states, especially in North for simplicity. When it comes to the question of austerity and eco-friendly way of living, the people of Tamilnadu always stand tall. The reusable yellow bag concept has slowly vanished with the changing lifestyle preferences. Now in an effort to revive the concept, the Tamilnadu govt started promoting the same and appealed to everyone to use yellow bag instead of polythene bags. Why yellow colour in particular? Yellow is always related to prosperity and wellbeing. Thus the bag gained importance in 20^th century, though this concept is well intertwined with the Tamil culture. The viral spread of plastic carry bags slowly evaporated the ever-known culture of manjappai. With the Centre banning the single use plastic from July 2022, the yellow bag concept is picking up. Grasping the opportunity, the shops and marriage houses have started re introducing the bags in bigger way. It is a welcome step and not only bring back the forgotten habit of reusability of cloth bags but also bring a sense of austerity at times consumerism and materialism are in the peak.