Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd. (MPVL), a Government of Karnataka undertaking that has been the sole supplier of indelible ink for elections in the country for decades, may soon leave its mark in the country’s pulse polio campaign.
After developing indelible marker pens (as an alternative to the indelible ink used for marking voter fingers) for elections, used for the first time in the July 17 Presidential election, MPVL says it has now developed “infant-friendly” pens for marking the fingers of babies after they are administered the polio vaccine.
“On the request from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, MPVL has developed a marker pen containing 3 ml of ink. Prototypes have been sent to the authorities, and samples also sent to the WHO (World Health Organisation) office in New Delhi seeking its feedback,” said MPVL chairman H.A. Venkatesh.
He told The Hindu that the technology used in making the pens was completely different from what was used in developing marker pens for elections. “We have developed the pen keeping in mind the safety of children. MPVL is ready to supply such pens for the campaign across the country upon getting approval from the authorities concerned,” he said.
He said 300 to 400 children can be marked with one 3-ml pen.
MPVL is reckoned to be one of its kind among the public service undertakings in the country to manufacture indelible ink. Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysuru, established it in 1937.
Official’s visit
State Election Commissioner P.N. Sreenivasachary recently visited MPVL and saw marker pens developed for the elections. He said the indelible pens may be used for the forthcoming local body polls across the State. His visit was to check the pros and cons of the marker pen and its cost before considering it for use during the elections.
