I was pleasantly surprised to see that Coke/Pepsi were not available that easily in Chennai, especially in and around the beach areas, where people gather in thousands. On the other hand, the easy availability of fresh tender coconut with juice, fresh fruit and vegetable juice as well as the healthier soups and speciality liquids like wheatgerm, lemongrass and others made one thankful. Even plain simple filter coffee or green tea is now increasingly available also at the humble roadside shacks and cafes.
But the arrogance of the soft drink manufacturers, it seems, can not be overcome that easily.Walking out early in Mylapore to catch a bus, must have been 0630 or so, I saw this heap of Coca Cola generated garbage right on the road, right on the Luz Corner bus-stop, opposite Mylapore Club.
https://flickr.com/photos/vm2827/4485523159/
The arrogance of the company and its salespeople as well as outlets has no shame. It is not bad enough that they sell pesticide laden garbage, now they even throw the garbage on our streets. Slumdog millionaire is fine, but how much garbage is generated by these MNC soft drink sellers?