Fountain pens on comeback trail in Muthukulam

Alappuzha: Fountain pens, which have been banished by ball point pens,  are staging a comeback in Muthukulam block panchayat. Realising the potential of fountain pens to avoid environmental  damage,  the block panchayat  has introduced a project ‘Mashithandu’ (a plant  used by students to cleanse slate).

Through it, the panchayat will promote fountain pens in seven local bodies under its jurisdiction  as part of the government’s Green Kerala mission.

Mr Bipin C. Babu, president, Muthukulam block panchayat,  said,  “fountain pens have become curios with the arrival of ball point pens which can harm  nature.  The panchayat will provide ink to the schools to promote fountain pens.  Our motto is, ‘Let  nature conservation begin from the fingertip,’” he said.

Fountain pens need not be thrown away like ball pens. “Fountain pens are used by  people who appreciate aesthetics.  Their writing experience is unique,” he said.

According to Rafi Ramnath, a teacher and nature lover,   a student exhausts at least three ball pens in a month. If there are 3,000 pupils in a school, they can produce a waste of over one lakh ball pens, he said.

"We have distributed ink pens to all students in the school and teachers have been directed to monitor the use of ink pens. The eco-club has also instituted a prize for the best class using  ink pens,” added Rafi who has been using Parker ink pen for a decade.