Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has introduced eco-friendly rakhis made from recycled cloth, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional festive materials ahead of Raksha Bandhan, which will be celebrated nationwide on August 9. The initiative is part of a larger campaign to promote environmental consciousness, launched under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde.
"These vibrant, handcrafted rakhis have been produced at the Textile Recycling Facility Project located in CBD Belapur the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, developed in collaboration with the Textile Committee under the Union Ministry of Textiles. The facility processes gently used clothing collected from over 250 housing societies, recycling them into usable fabric and decorative items," Dr Shinde said.
To make these eco-rakhis easily accessible, NMMC has set up dedicated stalls at its headquarters and all eight divisional offices. Alongside the rakhis, a range of other attractive recycled products created at the facility are also being showcased and sold.
Employment for Women Through Self-Help Groups
The initiative was officially launched during a celebratory event at the civic headquarters, where a large number of women employees and officers received the cloth rakhis. Senior civic officials present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioners Dr. Ajay Gadade, Dr. Kailas Gaikwad, Abhilasha Mhatre, and Chitra Baviskar; Assistant Medical Officer Dr. Ratnaprabha Chavan; Executive Engineer Shubhangi Dode; Assistant Commissioners Alka Mahapurkar, Swaroopa Parlikar, Shilpa Deshpande; Project Director Prakash Saini; and coordinator Sonawane.
Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste Management, Smita Kale, said "The initiative not only supports eco-conscious festivities but also raises public awareness about the textile recycling project. The process involves an eight-step sorting method, followed by fiber extraction and the creation of new fabric, enabling the production of colorful, reusable items. The project has also created significant employment opportunities for women from self-help groups."
NMMC's Initiative Aiming To Inspire Citizens
Through this initiative, NMMC aims to inspire citizens to embrace sustainability by opting for eco-friendly rakhis and products. Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde has appealed to residents, particularly women, to visit their nearest NMMC divisional office, purchase these handcrafted rakhis, and celebrate Raksha Bandhan with a deeper connection to both tradition and the environment.
