Chennai: In a move that comes across to be a bid to awaken ‘Swadeshi’ way of living, leading groups of traders in Tamil Nadu have decided to boycott Coke and Pepsi in Tamil Nadu from March 1 onwards. While the move promotes the concept of ‘Swadeshi’ living and also homegrown brands as such, the organisation has cited health and environmental reasons.
Leaders of Tamil Nadu Traders Federation (TNTF) and Consortium of Tamil Nadu Traders Association (CTNTA) are asking shopkeepers to promote home-grown brands like Kali Mark, Bovonto and Torino, to increase supplies and offer an alternative to the two big global cola brands.
The Associations have decided to force more than 20 lakh shops who are affiliated with them to boycott both Pepsi and Coke. But, at the same time, many super markets located in Chennai and other parts of the state will not take part in the boycott.
“After the jallikattu movement, we found many youths are not in favour of the two cola brands,” AM Vikrama Raja, President, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu (TNVSP), told IANS earlier.
However, the Indian Beverages Association (IBA) has said that the proposed call is not just against the interest of the farmers, traders and retailers, it also undermines the role the industry can play in economic growth and development.
The IBA is of the opinion that the companies provide employment to over 350,000 people and any move against the companies will have adverse impact.
