Gadchiroli Feb. 3 (District Correspondent) Good days are approaching for the bamboo sector in Maharashtra. Along with progress in agriculture, the state is also progressing in manufacturing, processing and trade sectors. The government has also extended its hand, now we have to create public awareness, said famous bamboo designer Meenakshi Mukesh Walke.
Meenakshi Walke, who is known as Bamboo Lady of India, participated in the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, said during an informal discussion that the government took a revolutionary decision to lift the ban on bamboo, after which rapid changes began. It started from Melghat in Vidarbha, which developed creatively after coming to Chandrapur via Kudal in Sindhudurga.
Maharashtra Bamboo Development Corporation and BRTC are developing expertise in the construction sector. Maharashtra Bamboo Promotion Foundation is continuously promoting in every field. Nagpur PDVK’s team is involved in agricultural research. Leaders like former MLC Pasha Patel have recently gained wide attention in Mumbai. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has truly led the industrial bamboo movement. Bamboo is widely used in the form of biomass, pellets, coal, ethanol, textiles, etc. Walke said that the coming days will definitely be good, she pointed out.
Encyclopedia of Bamboo in Poem Form
The world’s first book of poems solely on ‘Bamboo’ is coming out in February. In this, the use of bamboo, history, development, usability, new changes etc. have been mentioned. Like any reference book, this book will be useful. I wrote this book. After that, four-five books will be published on the subject of bamboo, Walke added. There is a lack of literature in the bamboo sector. Gondwana University has set a precedent by including bamboo in its curriculum. Bamboo should be included in the curriculum, Walke demanded.
Bamboo production has just started in the farm. Along with that, the problem of selling bamboo seems to be arising. A policy should be made at the government level for this. In view of the problems of pollution and unemployment, it is time to plan a far-reaching policy in this regard, she stated.
Meenakshi Walke is Visiting Faculty of Bamboo at Gondwana University. In 6 years she has made more than 1100 women self-reliant. Meenakshi, who received the “She Inspires Award” in the House of Commons of England, has participated as a celebrity guest in “Kon Honar Crorepati”. “Gemini” company has also made a short film on her. Meenakshi, known as the brand of bamboo rakhi, came into international limelight by making the country’s first bamboo QR code scanner.
