Odisha women’s group converts waste to wealth

In her own way Kamala Moharana, a 64-year-old woman from a small village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district and her group has been working for the cause of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan while contributing to reduce pollution caused by plastic.

Appreciating her good work, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned her during his monthly Mann Ki Baat on Sunday.

She along with a women self-help group which she runs, make attractive objects like mobile stands, fans and baskets with waste plastic packaging material and milk pouches.

Moharana who resides in Khairabad under Gulnagar panchayat runs the SHG “Ma Thanapati” which was formed in 2016. The group has 30 women members who convert waste items to useful and aesthetic objects like flower pots, hand fans, wall hangings, pen and mobile stand and baskets.

Every day polythene bags, plastic pouches, milk packets, food and biscuit wrappers along with other waste material – all of which harm the environment – are collected by these women, from all places, including garbage dump, and recycled. These are then used to create utility objects.

Mentioning Moharana and her group in his programme, PM said: “This is becoming a good source of income for the women’s group along with ensuring cleanliness in the area. If we resolve, we can make a huge contribution towards a clean India.”

Reacting to the PM’s remark about her, Moharana was happy and very honoured. Talking about her efforts, Niranjan Behera, Sub-Collector of Kendrapara said that she and her group were converting waste into wonder. This not only helps them earn money while also ensuring cleaning up of the area of plastic pollution.