Painter M F Husain's writ runs large in Uttar Pradesh too. Recently, he influenced state chief minister (cm) Mayawati to issue an ecofriendly directive. When the renowned painter met the cm at her residence, he revealed his preference to sip drinks from kulhads (earthen cups).

Mayawati promptly banned the use of plastic cups in official meetings. The government is also contemplating extending the ban to hotels, restaurants and even dhabas (roadside eateries). Excise department officials have been asked to conduct periodic checks to ensure that liquor shops and vendors also do not serve drinks in plastic cups.

The return to natural containers augurs well for potters who had gone out of business as a result of the preference for plastic. Husain, too, would endorse this return to nature.