Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Nov 21: Avinash Kamath (37), a native of the city has invented a unique method of recycling the old footwear. He collects old footwear from locals and sends them to GreenSole, a Navi Mumbai based company. The company manufactures new footwear from the used ones.

Avinash Kamath has named his mission as Nadige. Kamath says that there are two benefits from this mission. One is that this method is helpful in handling old footwear. Secondly, he has the aim of distributing the renewed footwear to more than 4000 children.

The Nadige campaign will be held from November 30 to December 2 at the campus of MGM College in Udupi. Kamath is a voice over artiste. He was influenced by some videos which he saw online and thought of new idea of Nadige.

Kamath says, “We have many alternatives to collect hairs for wigs and clothes. Hence, I thought of an idea of resolving the issue of old footwear. Last month, I visited GreenSole factory in Maharashtra and had discussion with Sriyansh Bhandary and Ramesh Dhami, co-founders. I also got the opportunity to release the poster of Nadige at this time. I have invited them to come to Udupi. We have listed the names of children that are going to receive the recycled footwear.”

Kamath has spent several months to form this campaign. He is partnering with Chosen Generation Charitable Trust. Normal and sports shoes, sandals, foam and rubber shoes will be collected. Various organizations can collect these at local level and send the same to a specific collection centre.

Kamath is in touch with various social organizations. He has the aim of collecting 4000 pairs of footwear. He says that there are various forms of donations. When he saw many children without footwear, this idea struck him.

Bhandary and Dhami, who are sportspersons, were thinking how to put to good use the seven to eight pair of shoes that they were using annually. They thought of undertaking R & D on this subject without harming the environment. Then the idea of GreenSole came into existence.

Bhandary says that the step taken by Kamath is appreciable. He says that people will always unite for a good cause.