Green piece

It's a wave that8217;s driven less by fashion and more by feelings. Food, bags, clothing, gifts...eco-friendly alternatives are everywhere and being lapped up by not only those who have a concern for the environment...

Eco-chic is in 038; here8217;s how you can be earth-friendly

It8217;s a wave that8217;s driven less by fashion and more by feelings. Food, bags, clothing, gifts8230;eco-friendly alternatives are everywhere and being lapped up by not only those who have a concern for the environment, but believe in going natural. Of course, banning polythene in the city has prompted many to put on their green caps and go creative.

For one, paper8217;s what everyone is looking towards for initiating the drive. Nods Poonam Thakur of Khadi Plus, who is busy thinking of some funky ideas for paper bags for the store and also shows you around the all-new natural ensembles which are high on looks and make ideal gifts, especially this festive season. 8220;Natural products are our mainstay, be it chemical and scent-free soaps, cosmetics and now even sweets, which come loaded with natural ingredients like honey almonds et al and are packed as lovely gift items too,8217;8217; Poonam recommends the latest designer stoles, hand-spun and made from all natural materials.

At Good Beginnings too, street children are learning environmental creative art from their teacher and 8216;creative head8217; Sangeeta Vardhan, who has designed eco-friendly block-printed reusable bags and also cloth bags made from left-over threads, old clothes, trimmings et al, 8220;some of these are embroidered, look trendy and are so practical and we can hopefully wean people off leather too,8217;8217; all these along with 8220;can tab8221; bracelets, kurtas etc will be sold by children to help them earn a living and make people more conscious. 8220;And you can spread the word by gifting these too,8217;8217; she smiles.

At theTheatre Age, work8217;s on full swing to make bags from old newspapers and in various sizes. General stores, vegetable vendors, boutiques, Zulfikar Khan is now planning to also get children to do cloth bags, 8220;serves the dual purpose of earning a living and saving the environment.8217;8217; At Fabindia there8217;s a huge collection of jute and bamboo bags, and also natural wrapping paper, papier-mache products, while Anokhi stocks funky cotton bags with Rajasthani prints. Natural oils, aroma essences, natural fruits, vegetables growing in the Arya Vihar Ashram are used to produce Sundaram soaps and face washes that are being promoted here for all the right reasons. 8220;Life of yoga is more than economy and and we want to reach out to larger sections,8217;8217; says an ashram representative. Go green!

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More