FROM THE EARTH…. FOR THE EARTH… Terracotta vs plastic ...... Teri mitti mein mil jawa……
Yes, the earth has a way of reminding us where we truly belong.
Recently, in the quaint village of Neri near Sitapur, something heartwarming unfolded. A simple community poll—conducted across three schools and fifty households—sparked a beautiful realization. The challenge?
A taste test between water stored in a traditional terracotta matka and a shiny new red plastic jug bought by young Rani for her home.
The results? “...And Grandma’s matka wins!!!” The cheers echoed through Neri as everyone agreed—the water from the matka was cooler, tastier, and just felt better. It wasn’t just a win for Dadi’s wisdom; it was a quiet victory for the environment, too.
Values of traditional usage of terra cotta earthen pots surfaced automatically & basic disadvantages of plastic usage came into fore. The younger wide eyes absorbed the observations with intense intelligence. Those eyes seem to promise to follow what they have seen & learned.
We adults need to do the same.
This summer, let us resolve to keep it cool and healthy.
Let us move towards terracotta usage.
5 MAJOR REASONS which will compel you to reconsider and increase the usage of Terra cotta wares & say ‘NO’ to plastic wares.
· It is e:co-friendly : bio-degradable, non-toxic & safe
· It is a temperature-tamer: keeps the fills cool, tasty & bacteria -safe
· It has amazing drainage-dynamos: absorbs excess moisture, hence helps plant roots breathe easy. The porous surface of earthen pots is an air-conditioner for the fills kept in it. The surface allows the ware to breathe in fresh air and keep the surface cooler than surrounding temperatures.
· It is an inherent part of our culture: an approximate 18,002,000 potters/ kumhars live in our country trying to churn a living through the rotating potter’s wheel. We citizens owe them a social responsibility for a product which gives us better health and better environment.
· It has no toxic effect whatsoever: safe, secure & healthy.
Just as everything has its positives & negatives, so do earthen pots. We need to handle them with care! After all, it is a part of mother earth! A small price for something so wholesome. Earthen wares may lose sheen & gloss over time, but we are happier engaging ourselves and our children into constructive works. Painting sure is fun and ‘geru’ surely inexpensive. Yes, you might need to make a few extra holes for drainage while using them as planters—but that’s just more time spent doing something constructive with your hands. Rest is all about adding points to our health, tastebuds & giving quality to our lives!!!
So, this summer, let’s skip the plastic. Let’s fill our homes—and our hearts—with terracotta.
Let’s return to the earth. Let’s choose better.