‘Make Organic Living a Choice’

In the first of its kind event Soroptimist International Madurai Chapter is introducing everything organic to the city people at a three-day fair that kicks off on Friday

July 29, 2015 06:32 pm | Updated 06:32 pm IST - MADURAI:

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Temple Town Madurai is set to host the first ever organic expo this weekend bringing together diverse groups under one roof for the locals to know and see, feel and follow all that is organic for a healthy lifestyle.

The Soroptimist International (Madurai Chapter) is putting together this mega event from July 31 to August 2 with a variety of activities aimed at highlighting healthier and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.

The SI Madurai president Latha Abiruben has been working hard with her team for the past so many weeks to bring over 40 exhibitors from all over the State who will display their organically grown or produced eco-friendly and energy saving products.

“Our mission,” says Latha, “is to inspire and encourage individuals to embrace a life of wellness and green living.” And this will be promoted through awareness of natural, organic and alternative products and solutions.

The Soroptifest Organic Expo-2015 will feature organically grown health food, personal care and natural beauty products, eco fashion and accessories, environment-friendly products made from palm and banana fibre, recycled art from waste, healthy cooking demos, interactive yoga and meditation demos, vermin-composting and bio-pesticides, health scan counters, live lectures by experts, fun kids corner, lots of competitions for school and college students, housewives and professionals.

If prospective organic shoppers feel the prices to be deterrent, there will also be plenty of free product samples to try out before forming an opinion. “We are giving all people a chance to hear, experience or taste something that they may not have been able to easily access before,” says the project director Mehrun Ismail.

Essentially, ‘Reduce, Recycle, Reuse’ is the theme of the three-day consumer event that will go all out to promote green living. Such a massive all inclusive event, say the SI members, is happening in the region for the first time. Six years ago, the Chennai chapter of SI had organised an eco-mela.

But ours is not just a mela, says Latha, where people stall-hop for shopping. “We are providing a complete package of change in lifestyle by engaging the people in various activities such as talent shows, quiz and fun games,” she adds.

All those interested in leading a green, clean and healthy lifestyle should not miss this educative, informative, fun and exciting weekend event for the entire family at Hotel Fortune Pandiyan. The Rs.10 entry fee per person is a raffle ticket with prizes including BSA cycle, gift hamper from CAMA beauty products and an organic grocery hamper, free holiday at Harvest Fresh Farm and Fruits and Beans Resort and much more.

To be inaugurated by the Additional Collector of Madurai District, Ms.Rohini Bidari, the expo with its roots in ethical organic living may help people to craft a better way of living. It will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For details and queries write to siorganicexpo@gmail.com or call 9842230112/ 9003936010

The SI voices:

Valli Annamalai : In Madurai people are health conscious and understand the benefits of an organic and natural way of life. With this fest, we want them to know about the various organic products available and also hope they will turn to using more organic products in their day-to-day living.

Latha Abireuben: As members of SI we felt it was our social responsibility to give the residents of the city this wonderful one-stop organic shopping opportunity and reinforce what we all already know -- go green go organic.

Mehrun Ismail : At this fest, people can shop not only various products but they can also shop for information on healthy living. We will conduct continuous competitions for various age groups that will also make them think and hopefully later adopt the healthy practices of organic living,

Sukanya Jegannathan : This is a great opportunity for the young and the old to share, exchange and promote concepts of healthy living. People have a mental block that organic products are expensive. This expo will help them realise whether they should spend money on organic food now or on medicines later.

Dr.Lakshmi : We want to encourage more dialogue about building healthy communities. The eco-friendly sanitary napkins should be something new for the people here. We will distribute free samples but hope to promote the economic growth potential of the product.

Sangeetha: Our aim is to echo the message of sustainable living across different sections of people. As responsible SI members we want to make strides on the forefront of the green movement.

Events:

Glowing in Golden years contest: Grandmas will share their secret of natural lifestyle to a healthy and happy retired life

Healthy Baby Contest: Mothers will tell how they have nurtured their babies with natural and eco-friendly products.

Art from E-waste contest: For college students who are supposed to create a new bag from old materials and promote the message of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle)

Made to use Contest: For students who can show off their creative skills using any discarded material

Gorgeous Complexion Contest: Anybody can participate and get their skin type and quality tested. The one with the best results will walk away with prizes.

Organic food Cooking contest: Open to all those who are willing to cook only vegetarian using organic groceries and ingredients. Ingredients can be purchased from any organic store but the participant should present the bill while registering as a contestant.

Landscape n Jar

The organisers of Soroptifest Expo are anticipating ample opportunities to engage and educate a huge weekend crowd on strategies to lead a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. The expo will have several interesting and surprise elements like a Terrarium, an alternate to easy gardening as the plants need not be watered for months or sometimes years.

A Terrarium is a glass container that allows a bit of the wild outdoors to be brought inside. It keeps the plants alive inside the glass providing its own ecosystem.

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