The movement flagged-off by the students has just not impacted conduct of Jallikattu but indeed kindled very insightful thoughts of various pressing issues like farmers death, drought, cauvery management tribunal, banning of foreign products that pose health hazard and affects sale of our local products and many more. During the protests, the students pouring coke and pepsi products on the roads as a sigh of condemning the corporates were witnessed at all protest sites.
There is all possibility that this fire lit by the protestors could adversely affect the present market for pepsi and coke in Tamil Nadu. Proving this point to be true, city-based chain restaurant RHR has announced that their outlets will not sell coke and pepsi products anymore.
Gurusamy, owner of the restaurant while speaking to Simplicity said "Youth have created a history here. The whole world has witnessed the power of students and public. What started as a 50 member protest is now transformed into a movement. Every day, I visited the protest site to distribute food for the supporters, every moment the crowd was gaining more and more momentum. All the supporters were very focused on their demands and extremely well-mannered'.
'Along with the plea to save our tradition, it is heart-warming to see the youngsters voice their support to save our farmers from dying during drought situations. The interest shown by the students on the farmers and agriculture is impressive and appreciable!' Gurusamy said.
'As indicated by the students, the corporate organisations behind coke and pepsi products have set manufacturing units at many places in Tamil Nadu. Those units draw gallons of water from our rivers and water bodies which are meant for agriculture. Hence, our farmers do not get enough water to carry on agriculture but these corporate giants still continue to run their units' he said.
'As a small step, we at RHR have decided to show our support in favor of farmers and the protestors, hence we have decided to stop selling coke, pepsi products including their packaged water bottles. Instead we would add lemonade,orange crush, badam milk, rose milk, butter milk and many more traditional drinks to our existing menu' Gurusamy assured.
'These corporates lure the establishments and hoteliers by offering free fridges and compliments which helps them hike their sales figures. The traditional refreshments like elaneer and butter milk is diminishing because of this trend. Nothing is too late, through our joint efforts we can definitely bring back our cultural food patterns' he said.
He also added that the youngsters should dissolve this protests as an ordinance has been passed by the government and assurance has been given that its is a permanent solution. Several senior advocates and retired judges have claimed the ordinance to be a permanent solution. Hence the students should trust the government and re-think of clearing the protests. But undeniably, they have created a history and from hereon government will pay heed to all of their fair demands.