Intro: Former US Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson had said, “Economic growth and environmental protection are not at odds. They’re opposite sides of the same coin if you’re looking at longer-term prosperity.” Keeping these lines in mind, Basanta Kumar Rout, an entrepreneur from Tilanga village in Kendrapara district, has launched small-scale production of cotton bags to address environmental concerns in the region. In a brief interaction with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, he threw light on his work and future plans. Excerpts:
What inspired you for the novel initiative?
Well, being an entrepreneur from a small village like Tilanga, I had never thought about pollution due to plastic material. However, I gradually realised the problems cropping inside our village regarding health and environmental pollution among others. Hence, I started making cotton bags in the year 2013 to provide an alternative to plastic bags.
Were there impediments in your endeavour?
Initially, it was a chaos. Nobody was interested in listening to me. People didn’t even try to comprehend whatever I was trying to say. However, I was able to convince my villagers about pollution and how to tackle it by manufacturing cotton bags. Financially, none except Odisha Gramya bank helped me. OGB Panchupandav, Kendrapara, funded my project with Rs 2 lakh. Gradually, my success was noticed by ORMAS, Utkalia and DIC and as they say, the rest is history.
How successful is your program in achieving its objectives?
Currently, I am the owner of Basanta Udyog. Maa Mangla Producer Group supports us as well. I have 42 people including women and girls in my team. Besides, I along with my wife provide training to village women to be financially secured by making cotton bags. The entire Kendrapara District follows my example on how to be economically sound while fighting pollution due to plastic bags simultaneously.
What propelled your work to be noticed all over the state?
Well, I prepared 3 lakh of cotton bags in a two-month period. This was noticed all over the state. Project director, ORMAS, Pradeep Kumar Parida felicitated me with a memento, certificate and bouquet which inspired me to work even harder for the cause.
Is your endeavour profitable?
We get a profit of half a rupee per cotton bag. However, I have sold bags at Rs 30 with a profit of Rs 9 at various fairs like Toshali Crafts Mela and Cuttack Bali Yatra. Cotton and canvas bags are the most common types as they are made of natural fibres. During my stay at Toshali Mela 2019, which lasted for seventeen days, people bought around 7000 bags and in Cuttack Bali Yatra, I sold around 1500 bags. I own a small office, with 2 huge rooms and a stock room to keep the raw material.
What would be your advice for people in general and environmentalists in particular?
Never wait for the authorities to usher an era of change. As a bag maker, I feel everyone must realise that the world belongs to them and they should reshape it and make it a better place for living. Nobody will come to change our world. It’s our own responsibility to preserve the planet.
