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THE TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 5 JUNE 2018 OPED 09

Break up with the ‘plastic’ menace


The World Environment Day celebration today comes with a focus on beating the menace of plastic pollution. As India
hosts the global event, there is need to underscore the mantra ‘if you can't reuse it, refuse it’.
Balraj K Sidhu & Bharat H Desai nylons and other plastics. Some are in the daily lives and for the economy. Plastic
form of microscopic grains, others in has multiple functions that help tackle a

T
HE global production and con- lumps. The impact is often highly damag- number of challenges our society faces.
sumption of plastic have been on ing. Even the polar regions, generally con- Light and innovative materials in cars or
the rise, with plastic becoming sidered to be pristine zones, are now get- planes save fuel and cut carbon dioxide
the “ubiquitous workhorse mate- ting affected by plastics as is the case with emissions. In packaging, plastics ensure
rial of the modern economy”. Plastics are mountain areas and rivers where tourists food safety and reduce food waste. Com-
a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic and rafters leave trails of plastics behind, bined with 3D printing, bio-compatible
organic compounds that are 'malleable'. including the Everesters. plastic materials can save human lives by
They aren't just one material but belong In this context, the 2018 (World Emvi- enabling medical innovation. However,
to a family of hundreds of different mate- ronment Day (WED) theme of ‘Beat Plas- the problem lies in the way plastics are
rials with a wide variety of properties. tic Pollution’ is a call for action to come currently produced, used and discarded.
They are designed to meet the needs of together to combat one of the greatest As a response to the challenge posed by
each single application in the most effi- environmental challenges of our times. plastics, the concept of 'circular econo-
cient manner. Currently, most plastics The theme invites us all to consider how my' is gaining attention as a potential
materials are derived from fossil feed- we can make changes to reduce the way for our society to increase prosperi-
stock such as natural gas, oil or coal. heavy burden of plastic pollution on our ty, while reducing demands on finite raw
The commonly used plastics are often natural places, our wildlife and human materials and minimising negative
not biodegradable. As a result, they accu- health. It brings us to making simple yet externalities. In January 2018, the EU
mulate, rather than decompose, in land- informed choices such as carrying adopted an ambitious European Strate-
fills or the natural environment. Accord- reusable shopping bags, coffee mugs, gy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
ing to a paper published in Science, more CLEAN-UP CALL: The polluted Yamuna. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MANAS RANJAN BHUI water bottles, etc while going to a super- that seeks to transform the way plastic
than 300 million tonnes of plastic are man- market. Small yet innovative measures products are designed, used, produced
ufactured every year. India generates ocean trench when a plastic bag was response options to combat marine litter such as in Amsterdam where a canal tour and recycled. It sets 2030 as a target
around 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste found in the Mariana Trench, 10,898 m and microplastics. The UN Clean Seas company has started a campaign called when all plastics packaging placed on
annually, where Delhi alone accounts for below the surface. If we consider the fish Campaign was launched in January 2017 ‘ Fishing the Plastic’ in which tourists the EU market is either reusable or can
9,600 metric tonnes per day. In fact, over- in the sea, a vast proportion of them now in an attempt to increase global awareness have been roped in as volunteers to catch be recycled in a cost-effective manner.
reliance on single-use or disposable plas- have plastic in them. They think it is food of the need to reduce marine litter. The the floating plastic by using nets. The mantra ‘if you can't reuse it, refuse
tic has proven to be an environmental as and eat it, just as seabirds feed plastic to need for measures to combat plastic men- Being the global host, India needs to it’ underscores an active engagement
well as human health hazard. their chicks. Some of this is released as ace differs in different parts of the world. show its leadership mantle by making con- required from the governments, general
excrement and ends up sinking on to the Proper waste management infrastructure certed efforts to clean our rivers and public, civil society and private sector in
Threat to our oceans seabed. Eventually, it enters into our food is lacking in some areas, while in others, beaches that are cluttered with piles of the fight against plastic pollution. One
Tonnes of plastic debris (which by defini- chain and in the human bodies. Akin to the challenge involves the general pub- plastic litter. The Plastic Waste Manage- hopes that wiser counsel will prevail to
tion are waste that can vary in size from the menace of acid rain in twentieth cen- lic's awareness of the impact plastic litter ment Rules 2016 as well as the recent deci- save us from frightening prospects of
large containers, fishing nets to micro- tury Europe, planet earth is slowly being has on the environment. sion of the National Green Tribunal ban- prediction that if no action is taken, by
scopic plastic pellets or even particles) are covered with plastic epidemic. ning the use of plastic bags of less than 50 2050 there could be more plastic than
discarded every year that pollutes lands, Taking cognisance of the seriousness of Beating plastic pollution microns is a modest legal attempt, but its fish in the oceans! India has a role cut
rivers, coasts, beaches, and oceans. A the issue at hand, the UN Environment It is a matter of serious concern that no success depends upon corresponding out to lead the way in this global battle
recent article published in the journal Assembly (UNEA) in December 2017 part of the planet is free from the scourge change in our societal attitudes and habits. against menace of plastics.
Marine Policy (2018), ‘Human footprint established the Ad Hoc Open Ended of plastic waste. Many of the countries are
in the abyss: 30 year records of deep-sea Expert Group on Marine Litter and saddled with mountains of water contain- Finding the way out Balraj K Sidhu is Assistant Professor
plastic debris’, reveals that single-use Microplastics. It is mandated to identify ers, supermarket bags, polystyrene Banning plastic products is not the solu- at IIT, Kharagpur, and Bharat H Desai
plastic has reached the world's deepest national, regional and international lumps, compact discs, cigarette filter tips, tion as they play an important role in our holds Nehru Chair at JNU, New Delhi

The eclipse of a bright Chanda


Rajeev Jayaswal She was conferred the Padma Bhushan According to sources, the government nom- of ICICI Bank suo motto issued a statement
by the UPA government in 2011. In 2015, inee on the bank’s board appears with- clarifying its position on this controversial

T
HE iconic lady banker, a protégé of Time acknowledged her as one of the 100 drawn from the controversy. That might be matter. But the statement ignited a fire and
banking sector’s cult figure KV ‘Most Influential People’ in the world. one reason that the board on May 29, 2018 news reports on the matter went viral.
Kamath, has fallen from grace. The By 2013, Kochhar’s stature had trans- instituted an “enquiry” by an “independent
dark clouds of alleged impropriety, formed from a star to a brand. She had been and credible” person on this matter. Per- The allegation
nepotism and corruption have eclipsed near- appointed MD and CEO for a five-year term haps, these developments prompted Reports alleged that a series of transactions
ly three and a half decades of Chanda in 2009. The board could not find a better Kochhar to take a strategic break. The bank took place after December, 2008 between
Kochhar’s bright career that spans her rise person to run the bank. Hence, her tenure is, however, quick to deny media specula- Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot and
from being an ICICI Bank trainee to its Man- was extended for another five years, nine tions that the board had asked her to go on NuPower Renewables Ltd, a company of
aging Director and Chief Executive Officer. months before the completion of her first leave. In a statement, it clarified that she Deepak Kochhar and his close relatives.
term in office. At the 19th annual general was “on her annual leave which was After some time, Dhoot resigned as direc-
Meteoric rise meeting, held in Vadodara on June 24, 2013, planned in advance.” It also denied the con- tor of NuPower and transferred his shares
Nine years ago, on May 1, Kochhar was ICICI Bank shareholders unanimously re- jecture that the board had appointed any in the company to Deepak Kochhar. Dhoot
appointed as the successor to her men- appointed Kochhar for another term, effec- search committee to find her successor. also extended a loan of Rs 64 crore to
tor Kamath after he retired as CEO and tive from April 1, 2014. In effect, her current Trouble started for Kochhar after a NuPower in 2013. By then, Deepak
MD of the bank to become the non-exec- tenure would end on March 31, next year. whistleblower in 2016 pointed at a deal Kochhar had completed the transaction to
utive chairman of its board. smacking of an alleged conflict of inter- acquire the company for an alleged sum of
Her linear progression had not been com- Abrupt fall est between Videocon group promoter Rs 9 lakh. Meanwhile, ICICI Bank had
pletely unchallenged. There were at least Speculation is, however, rife that Kochhar Venugopal Dhoot and Deepak Kochhar, allegedly sanctioned a loan of over Rs 3,000
IN DOCK: Chanda Kochhar. PTI four other deserving candidates vying for (around 57 years old) may quit before the CEO Kochhar’s spouse four years ago. crore to Videocon as part of a broader bank-
the same corner office in different points in completion of her second term in office. ICI- The bank board on March 28, 2018, how- ing consortium. A quid pro quo was alleged
Although ICICI Bank time — Shikha Sharma, Kalpana Mor-
paria, Rajiv Sabharwal and Nachiket Mor.
CI Bank’s decision to institute an inquiry
into the allegations raised by a whistleblow-
ever, gave a clean chit to the CEO, rub-
bishing the allegation of quid pro quo.
because the loan was sanctioned when
Chanda Kochhar was heading the bank.
initially denied any Sharma left ICICI Bank a month after er against her gives credence to this theory. Although, the ICICI Bank board initial-
Kochhar’s ascendance to become MD and Perhaps, she will take a cue from her former The whistleblower ly denied any wrongdoing by its CEO, it
wrongdoing by its CEO CEO of the country’s third largest private colleague, Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma, The whistleblower, Arvind Gupta, is a later succumbed to public pressure and
Chanda Kochhar, it later lender, Axis Bank. Morparia left ICICI after who took a moral high ground and decided shareholder of both ICICI Bank and Video- decided to institute an independent probe
33 years of service to head JP Morgan’s to step down after the Reserve Bank of con group. He had written a letter on March only towards May-end. Instead of remain-
instituted a probe. Probity India operations. Eventually, Sabharwal India (RBI) unambiguously expressed its 15, 2016 to top officials and regulatory agen- ing in denial mode, the board should have
demands that Kochhar and Mor also left the bank to pursue oppor-
tunities outside the ICICI universe.
disagreement with the Axis Bank Board
over the fourth extension given to her.
cies, including Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. He had described an alleged complic-
taken this decision in March itself. But it
is never too late. Probity also demands
should step down to help Kochhar’s perseverance and fortitude Kochhar initially appeared defiant with ity between Deepak Kochhar and Video- that Chanda Kochhar should step down to
an unbiased and were unmatched. In less than a year, she
was ranked 92nd in the Forbes’ list of
the support of most of the ICICI Bank’s
board members. But public openion is
con. The allegation resurfaced after two
years. Pre-empting some newspapers to
help an unbiased and independent probe.

independent probe. ‘Most Powerful Women’ in the world. against her and pressure is mounting. publish the controversial matter, the Board rajeevj.tribune@gmail.com

on this day... 100 years ago quick crossword su do ku forecast


YESTERDAY’S V. EASY SUNSET: TUESDAY 19:23 HRS
SOLUTION
SUNRISE: WEDNESDAY 05:19 HRS
Across
1 High-minded, 8
3 6 2
Lahore,Wednesday, June 5, 1918.
1 9 8 7
Upset, 9 Proviso, Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy Rainy Foggy
10 Teacher, 11 CITY MAX MIN
A Strange Story Glean, 12 Nettle,
Chandigarh 40 30
THE Indian Daily News is responsible for the statement that a sto-
ry is going about that a semi-Curtis scheme has been adopted and
14 Strict, 17
Grain, 19 Evasive, 7 4 5 1 3 New Delhi 41 31
PUNJAB
that the departments of Sanitation and Education will be handed 21 Omnibus, 22
over to Indians to do what they like with and also that 45 per cent.
of the Civil Service are to be Indians. We do not know what founda-
Oriel, 23 Low-
profile. 9 4 3 8 Amritsar
Bathinda
41
43
30
30
tion there is for the story. It is difficult to believe that after the con- Jalandhar 40 30
demnation of that scheme in the press and on the platform so wide-
Down
2 Instant, 3
6 1 5 4 Ludhiana 41 29
awake and so sympathetic a Secretary of State as Mr. Montagu Hatch, 4 Impart, Patiala 40 29
would adopt the Curtis scheme or any substantial part of it. The pro-
posed bifurcation of Government has been shown to be not only
5 Drought, 6
Drive, 7 Down-at-
2 4 1 7 HARYANA
Ambala 39 29
unsound in principle, but positively mischievous in its possible con- heel, 8 Up to no Bhiwani 44 30
sequences. As for the 45 per cent. of the Civil Service being Indians good, 13
Longbow, 15
6 5 1 9 2 Hisar 44 30
we need only say that any artificial maximum limit is bound to be Karnal 37 27
rejected by the country, though it has no objection to the goal of
Indianisation of the Government being worked up to gradually.
Initial, 16 Geyser,
18 Annul, 20 5 3 2 6 Sirsa
HIMACHAL PRADESH
45 30
Aloof.
Dharamsala 32 21
"The Poor Dullard." 8 3 1 Manali 25 12
EDUCATIONAL reforms in England include measures for recurring Nahan 34 26
free secondary education to the poor in some form that will not be ACROSS 19 Characteristic (7) 5 Foolish talk (7) Shimla 25 16
burdensome to them. But Mr. Hornell, Director of Public Instruction 1 A very light wood (5) 21 Turkish war zone 1915-16 (9) 6 Single (3)
Yesterday’s solution calendar Solan 31 19
in Bengal, has ruled that the "poor dullard" has no business to aspire 4 Sympathetic relationship (7) 23 Flying saucer (3) 7 Having sharp taste (5) 9 3 6 2 7 1 4 5 8 June 5, 2018 Tuesday JAMMU & KASHMIR
for secondary education. In his report he writes with reference to 1 5 7 4 9 8 6 2 3 ■ Vikrami Samvat 2075 Jammu 41 29
8 Slack (3) 24 Imply (7) 12 Battle in France 1415 (9) Shaka Samvat 1940
cheap secondary schools in Bengal:-"A fee so low that the poor dullard 4 8 2 6 3 5 7 9 1 ■
Leh 27 09
9 North African battle 1942 (2,7) 25 Right of ownership (5) 14 To clash (7) 6 7 5 1 8 3 9 4 2
■ Jyeshtha Shaka 15
is tempted to essay an education for which he has not the capacity ■ Jyeshtha Parvishte 23 Srinagar 33 15
and which can bring him nothing but disappointment is merely a
10 One-handled drinking vessel (7) DOWN 16 Sickeningly obsequious (7) 8 1 4 9 5 2 3 6 7 ■ Hijari 1439
Krishan Paksha Tithi 6
UTTARAKHAND
delusion and a snare." Mr. Hornell has obviously no sympathy with 11 Sycophant (5) 1 Too long in coming (7) 17 The extreme limit (6) 3 2 9 7 4 6 8 1 5

up to 9.17 am Dehradun 35 25
the aspirations of the poor for secondary and collegiate education and 13 Find presence of (6) 2 Anglo-American battle 1775 (9) 18 Sham (5) 5 9 1 8 6 7 2 3 4 ■ Vaidhra Yog up to 10.50 pm Mussoorie 23 16
■ Dhnishtha Nakshatra
he thinks the poor must remain dullards because of their poverty. 15 Raising of a siege (6) 3 Sphere of conflict (5) 20 Purpose (5) 2 6 8 3 1 4 5 7 9 up to 5.57 pm Nainital 24 16
18 Commonplace (5) 4 Central African republic (6) 22 Fallen tree trunk (3) 7 4 3 5 2 9 1 8 6 ■ Moon in Aquarius sign TEMPERATURE IN OC

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