If you thought that the fountain pen is history, think again. An attempt is being made to popularise the use of the good old fountain pen by encouraging students and others to use it through various means including social media.

With the advent of ballpoint and gel pens, the fountain pen had been relegated to the background. Besides, using a fountain pen meant taking care to maintain it as well.

The love of writing with a fountain pen and environmental concerns are driving the initiative to popularise it. Mahesh Shenoy, a businessman, who also heads the ‘Organic Club’ has taken to Whatsapp to popularise fountain pens once more.

Mr. Shenoy, who is also secretary of SVS Vidyavardhaka Sangha, distributed fountain pens to 170 students from Classes 4 to 7 at the SVS Higher Primary School at Katapady village near here, for free. “There are environmental issues attached with the present day ‘use and throw’ pens,” he said.

Prema H., Headmistress of the school, who has been using her Hero fountain pen for nearly 35 years, said that she always preferred fountain pens because they improved handwriting. “A fountain pen does not come with environmental issues like the other pens. Other schools in the district may be encouraging the use of fountain pens, but I am unaware of it,” she said.

Positive response

Students have responded positively to the scheme. Ramya, a student of class 6, said that she liked using the fountain pen as it facilitated writing smoothly. Manya, another student, said that the one advantage of writing with a fountain pen was that she did not have to press it on to the page as was the case with a ballpoint pen.

Meanwhile, a Facebook account under the name ‘Selfie with Ink Pen’ too has been opened where people have shared their photos and views on using fountain pens.

P.V. Bhandary, psychiatrist, who has also been using fountain pens, said that it improved one’s handwriting and also had a flair that was missing in other pens. “But gel pens also help in improving handwriting. There are also some disadvantages with fountain pens such as filling it and dealing with its ink leaks,” he said.