Hold the pesticides, please

India is in desperate need of an environmental movement. The streets are filled with garbage and the air is heavy with pollution. There are beautiful, historical trees that appear to be suffocating from so much smog. While the trunks stand huge and stately, the branches and leaves limp with exhaustion (literally). Yesterday, there was an article about how many states, including Karnataka (Bangalore's state), were banning Coke, Pepsi and even their bottled water products, for having high levels of pesticides inside. A New Delhi-based environmental group, the Center for Science and Environment, said it tested Coke and Pepsi products and found pesticide levels 24 times higher than what is allowed. TWENTY-FOUR TIMES HIGHER!

So today, Coke is running an advertisement in several newspapers in India that say Coke has had tests conducted in independent laboratories and found its products "meet with all Indian and international applicable standards, including those being considered by the regulators in India."

You know what I say? SHAME ON YOU COKE AND PEPSI! Saying you meet Indian governmental standards means nothing. The Indian government appears to be failing at providing adequate infrastructure and pays zero attention to the environment. You are American companies and should be held up to the same standards you are required by in the U.S. Don't rob the Indian people (and the guests who visit) of the right to drink your crappy drinks without the pesticides. Everyone needs to do their share to stop poisoning India, its trees, its streets and its people.

End of rant.