Tamil Nadu Kids Get 'Green' Pencils, Colouring Books On Children's Day

Chennai: Kids in Tamil Nadu received their Children's Day gifts from unexpected quarters. The handicrafts development corporation in the state, popularly called Poompuhar, has come out with eco-friendly pencils and colouring books for children made with from used paper as part of its Children's Day special release. The colouring books showcase Tamil cultural heritage.

The customized pencils, priced at Rs 50 for a pack of ten, are made of used newspaper unlike the traditional wooden pencils that consume many trees.

Poompuhar has also released colouring books that have drawn inspiration from the world famous shore temple sculptures in Mahaballiburam. On the left side, the book presents coloured pictorial versions of sculptures along with a write up on them; on the right side children can let their imaginations run riot by colouring the outline of the same. The book with twenty such slices of cultural heritage juxtaposes culture with creativity.
 Dr Santosh Babu, the Chairman and Director of Poompuhar, says "In Mahaballiburam we found nothing related to the rich cultural heritage was available for sale. We thought why not try using sculptural images for colouring and kids love it".

Poompuhar which offers these at its outlets for Rs 100 plans to market these online besides reaching out to schools as well.