Kangpokpi accords warm welcome to environment activist
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, July 09 2022: People of Kangpokpi town accorded a warm reception to a Nagpur-born young hitch-hiker Rohan Agarwal when he arrived at the town on Friday.

The 20-year-old Rohan, who hit the road with a noble mission on August 25, 2020, reached Kangpokpi town after traveling 24 Indian states and seven districts of Manipur.

The hitch-hiker, who began his Padyatra (a journey on foot) with just a backpack and Rs 2,500 in his pocket, was received by Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, Kangpokpi, led by its chief executive officer James Doujapao Haokip when he arrived at Kangpokpi town on Friday around 6:30 pm at his office chamber and presented him a Thadou-Kuki traditional shawl 'Saipikhup' as a mark of love and welcoming him.

The SHADC Kangpokpi hosted him and arranged for his food and accommodation at LNC Hotel, the best hotel in the town, till he left for Senapati district on Saturday.

The young traveller, who set out on a pan-India mission to spread awareness of the hazards posed by the use of plastics with a message of unity in diversity and humanity, met with the students of Lighthouse School, Kangpokpi who secured 100 percent success in the recently declared HSLC Examination 2022 and interacted with young learners while explaining his inspiring mission.

Responding to a query, Rohan Agarwal said, "Despite several efforts, plastic items continued to be used widely in Manipur as normally people are still habitual in using plastics materials.

"As the situation necessitated mass awareness on its adverse impact on the environment I am happy to learn that chief minister N Biren Singh is putting all efforts to reduce the use of plastics in the state", he said.

In her address, Kangpokpi deputy commissioner Kengoo Zuringla conveyed the government's initiative to stop use of single-used plastics by banning it in the entire state and the same has been implemented in Kangpokpi district since July 1.She also welcomed the young hitch-hiker by presenting him a Thadou-Kuki traditional stole and thanked him for his visit.

The district administration also organised an awareness campaign on ban on single use plastic at Nuite Kailhang (women's market), Kangpokpi on Saturday which was also attended by Rohan Agarwal.

During interaction with the public, Zuringla said we can replace the polythene or plastic bags by using alternative like bags made of cotton or jute and one can carry their own bags.

She said the awareness campaign was held in line with the Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022 for effective management of plastic waste and complete elimination of single-use plastics in the state.

She said single-use plastics takes years to degrade and is very dangerous to the environment.

Later, the Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation, Kangpokpi Youth Union, and Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship held a farewell programme for Rohan Agarwal at the KTC office in the presence of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Kangpokpi officials and BJP Kangpokpi Mandal president.

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