Date:16/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/16/stories/2004081611010600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Patriotism with a difference

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, AUG. 15. An automobile mechanic in Chennai, R. Dhanasekharan, displayed his patriotic sense by making a national flag using about 250 eggshells. He then painted them in national colours.

"I did not get much time to do it. I sat and worked at nights for six months, carefully handling the flimsy shells... cutting them and painting them in the national colours." The `flag' was displayed at Gandhi Mandapam at Guindy.

The public sector oil giant Indian Oil Corporation, used the occasion to convey the message of road safety. Surprise gifts were given to those who drove into an IOC's fuel dispensing outlet on Radhakrishnan Salai, wearing helmets.

Magesh Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, who presented the gifts to the two-wheeler riders, said it was a novel way of encouraging people to wear helmets. The IOC's General Manager, C. Ramachandran, said the effort was taken up at 25 outlets in the city "to pat those who observe traffic rules."