PUNE: In view of the plastic ban, this year’s Palkhi procession of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj did not use single use plastic as per directions of their dindi parmaukhs (presidents) and all warkaris carried steel plates, cups, glasses, spoons and bowls.

Dashrat Suryavanshi, dindi president of dindi number 13 of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi, said, “We were informed by the Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Trust a month ago through a letter that warkaris participating in the Palkhi should not carry any plastic items like plates, glasses or plastic bags which can harm the environment.”

Bhanudas Nakhate, dindi president of dindi number 29 of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi, said, “Warkaris participating in the Palkhi have not carried any kind of plastic. We all are only carrying steel utensils.”

Vithod Kulal, dindi president of dindi number 106 of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi, said, “Every year, we used to carry plastic items and plastic carry bags. But this year was completely different. We carried steel utensils since we were strictly warned against using plastic.”

Pankaj Tilekar, dindi president of dindi number 36 of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi, said, “It was difficult initially to make villagers understand how plastic is harmful for the environment. We had to make them understand and after three months of informing them about it, 400 warkaris in our group have not carried a single plastic item.”