by Lenny Barretto for Daijiworld News Network - Goa
Panaji, Feb 9: World-renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks is known for his shy-away behaviour; though this talented Goan has achieved laurels at the international level. But when it comes to his mission - garbage eradication - Wendell is a straight-forward guy.
So when journalists encountered him at his fashion show during the launching of 'On The Rocks' Bar Lounge, Wendell expressed his disappointment as nothing was happening to solve the gigantic garbage which has been plaguing Goa and India at large.
"I am disappointed with Congress president Sonia Gandhi…. I am disappointed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh… I am disappointed with chief minister Pratapsingh Rane…," Wendell quipped, while informally speaking to the reporters recently.
Though the occasion was the launching of On The Rocks bar lounge at Baga, the journalists could not resist the temptation of getting Wendell’s reaction on the topic, which is dearer to his heart.
"There should be a national policy on garbage. I can’t tolerate garbage littered all over. It’s not just Goa," said the fashion designer, who has initiated a campaign to create awareness about garbage segregation in Goa.
"This is not just Goa’s problem. It’s a national problem and steps should be taken at national and state level alike," Wendell said, explaining his 'disappointment towards national leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.'
When his attention was drawn to the recent initiatives by corporation of city of Panaji and Mormugao municipal council (MMC) on plastic eradication and segregation of garbage at collection point, Wendell replied: "I really admire the initiatives taken by these corporations but the initiative should be at the state level and it cannot be just city-centric.
This time around, Wendell had more to complain about garbage. "I am also talking about the visual garbage that is created in the state - the hoardings which come up along the roadside and houses painted by multi-national companies publicizing their product, is an ugle sight."
"These companies won’t dare to paint heritage houses with their products in their countries….," Wendell said.
Though disappointed with the state government, Wendell is very sure of going ahead with the anti-garbage mission at his home village, Sancoale. "I will make it garbage-free," he says with conviction in his eyes.
Read more on Wendell Rodricks - from Daijiworld archives: