Date:10/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/10/stories/2005041007680400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Loud protest against soft drinks

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 9. It was Ugadi with a difference. Sans any panchangam or rituals associated with the Telugu New Year, activists of Jana Vignana Vedika succeeded in sending across their message opposing cool drinks manufactured by multi-national companies (MNCs).

In the presence of men, women and children, soft drink giants Coke and Pepsi faced the wrath of JVV activists who broke cool drink bottles to lodge their protest against ill effects of soft drinks. The message to onlookers was loud and clear: Drink fresh coconut water, buttermilk and fruit juice instead of cool drinks.

Women served the traditional `Ugadi pachadi' from earthen pots. Freshly plucked leaves were turned into small cups in which the `pachadi' was offered to the gathering. The activists put up posters to highlight the `ill effects' of cool drinks. The JVV secretary, T. Ramesh, said that people were spending more money to consume soft drinks which were laced with chemicals.