Palakkad: What will you do with an empty bottle if you are travelling in a train? Of course, most of us throw it out of the window.

In fact, these kind of waste items generated in a moving train can be raw materials for making beautiful as well as useful items. C H Anil Kumar, an official with the SSE Drawing Section at the Railways, has proved that this can be done in a very effective way.

Palakkad Railway division has introduced this innovative idea of turning waste materials into decorative pieces as part of the Railways' cleanliness drive.

According to Palakkad division railway authority, the waste materials in the railway track and its premises can be reused and based on this, they decided to experiment such an innovative idea.

Anil Kumar, after gathering waste materials like bottles, glasses and containers that are thrown out of the train, makes flower vase, flowers and pen box from them.

Anil says the top portion of the platic water bottles can be converted into a beautiful flower vase and the bottom part can make flowers while centre piece can be converted into a pen box.

Aluminium foils, food containers and plastic carry bags are also taking new avatars at the hands of Anil. His works won accolades at a recent exhibition held at the Railway division office.

For Anil Kumar, craft and art work is not just a part of the cleanliness campaign. He is an artist who is interested in painting. He had organised an exhibition of his paintings titiled ‘Scratchography’ in Ernakulam. The paintings are made in a unique style --by scratching them with a blade, hence the name. Another exhibition of his work will be organised at all railway stations under Palakkad division.