இயற்கையோடு இயைந்து தமிழர்கள் நாம் கொண்டாடும் பொங்கல் திருநாளான இன்று, பிளாஸ்டிக் பைகளை இனிப் பயன்படுத்த மாட்டோம் என உறுதிமொழி எடுத்துக் கொண்டு,...

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin appealed to citizens across Tamil Nadu on the auspicious occasion of Pongal to take a collective environmental pledge to eliminate single-use plastic bags and adopt sustainable yellow cloth bags under the state's Meendum Manjappai campaign. Describing Pongal as a harvest festival deeply rooted in ecological gratitude and harmony with nature, Stalin noted that protecting the environment is an essential cultural responsibility.

The Chief Minister emphasized that discarded plastic bags choke urban stormwater drains, pollute agricultural fields, contaminate coastal water bodies, and endanger livestock. He recalled that the traditional yellow cloth bag, known historically as manjappai, represents an eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative that once formed an integral part of everyday Tamil life. By reviving the widespread use of cloth bags through public campaigns, school awareness programs, and civic partnerships, the government seeks to foster responsible community habits and reduce municipal plastic waste.

Stalin urged families, commercial establishments, and market vendors to replace disposable polythene covers with reusable cloth carriers immediately. He reiterated that environmental preservation demands conscious lifestyle changes from every citizen, affirming that sustainable ecological practices will safeguard Tamil Nadu's natural resources for future generations.