Imagine all the people... in a world without plastic
The group has just released Imagine there is no plastic,' sung to the tune of the John Lennon classic.
BENGALURU: "Imagine all the people, living in a world in peace... Imagine there is no plastic...to clog our precious earth,...To reach our drains, lakes, oceans, Harming animals and birds....To languish in a landfill..."
Wait, that's not John Lennon, the Beatle with a conscience - yes, yes, George Harrison had one too! It’s not the Beatles we have to thank for this rather pithy description of our city’s woes, it’s Bengaluru’s eco warrior Odette Katrak (in pic) of Beautiful Bengaluru!
As World Environment Day rolls around, hosted by India this year, Beautiful Bengaluru, an initiative inviting citizens to be the change for a clean-green-safe city, has chosen a most pressing theme for itself: Beat Plastic Pollution. With unsuccessful attempts made by the government, the administration and the people themselves over the years, all of whom have failed to beat the menace of consumerism, perhaps the best thing for us to do is Imagine!
Perhaps that’s what led Katrak, co-founder, Beautiful Bengaluru to return to the simple goodness of the Beatles. The group has just released ‘Imagine there is no plastic,’ sung to the tune of the John Lennon classic.
“John Lennon imagined a world without war, where everyone lived in peace. Our version imagines a world without plastic, which will bring hope to a planet under grave threat,” she says.
She believes firmly that it’s upto each one of us to consider the environmental consequences of their choices. “So yes, we ask people to live each day with a conscience, convenience no longer counts’, she remarks. “We hope that we manage to plant the seeds of change atleast, so that both our city and the planet can eventually benefit.”
The lyrics and visuals force viewers rethink their small habits, which could go a long way in reducing waste. Aparna Ponnappa, also a co-founder at Beautiful Bengaluru, believes that awareness campaigns have made an impact on the environment: “Those who used plastic three years ago are now passionate about avoiding it,” she explains.
That’s not all. Beautiful Bengaluru is kicking off a campaign this month, titled ‘Enabling Communities to Beat Plastic Pollution’, through which communities can recognise vendors who prove exemplary in keeping to the plastic ban. This will encourage them and inspire other vendors to follow suit.