Pics: Justin Dsilva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 12: Have you ever celebrated Independence Day and Republic day with biodegradable flag? Do you ever imagine what to do with the national flags after the occasion? Most of the answer would be yes, because we should respect our national flag. But if we give flags in the hands of kids, they will play with it and throw at the end of their playing time.

Here is a solution for all your problems and you may like it. Many of you have concern for the environment, although some people purchase plastic materials. During the Independence Day, plastic flags dominate the markets.

Today people are slowly getting aware of their mistake and have stopped using plastic flags.

Now K Mahesh Shenoy, proprietor of Sanjeevini Garden house has introduced seed flags exclusively for the people of Udupi. He thought that as the plastic flags do not decompose, seed paper flag will be better as it is biodegradable. He is getting demand from everywhere for this type of flags. He bought it from a Mumbai-based entrepreneur.

The seeds embedded in the flag and marigold balls are neem, teak wood, marigold, tomato, sunflower, basil and many others.

The seed flag is a handmade, biodegradable type of paper which consists of different plant seeds. The seeds sprout when the paper is planted in soil, thus raising saplings. Now you can leave it in your garden and after a few months, it will be sprouted into a beautiful flower or a vegetable.

Mahesh Shenoy also did an ink pen drive to stop the use of use and throw plastic pens. Four years back it was huge movement.

Today he is marketing eco-friendly products. In this flag natural colour and fragrance is used.

Two types of flags are available. One can be striped to a shirt or any cloth, the other one can be kept on the table. It looks attractive also. Mahesh also sells seed pens, pencils and eco-friendly garden materials. There are sayings on pencils with picture of the scholar who has said that particular saying. Actually the product seems very beautiful. After the use, the pen can be planted in a yard.

Shenoy wishes everyone to celebrate eco-friendly Independence Day and respect our national flag and anthem.

There is a message that is written on the box which says, "The flags in this box are made from handmade paper and are embedded with seeds. Please dispose the flag as whole in private by planting it in the soil consistent with the dignity of the flag. Do not click and share photos of flag sowed in the soil as it might be considered as disrespect to the flag.”