JOIN USHow to green your Deepavali
Many organisations in Bengaluru are promoting an eco-friendly and safe Deepavali this year. Here’s how they are doing it.
Samarpana Trust
Lanterns without helium
Samarpana trust, an organisation in Rajajinagar, is getting a group of children from a correctional home to make eco-friendly sky lanterns. “Our aim is to provide an alternative for Chinese lanterns which use plastic and other material harmful to nature,” says Shivakumar Hosamani, founder the trust. The lamps are hung in front of houses. They last up to five years, he told Metrolife.
The lanterns are made from bamboo, sourced from Channapatna, homemade glue made from wheat flour and maida. The trust gets fine cloth from Surat and Hyderabad.
The trust has been making eco-friendly lanterns for eight years. This year’s lanterns make use of electric bulbs.
“Sky lanterns which float in the sky use helium. They are dangerous as the helium gas might leak and lead to disasters,” he adds.
A lantern is priced at Rs 250. The trust is also selling dark glasses to wear as protection during the season for Rs 40-50 a pair.
The trust conducts workshops to help people become eco-friendly.
Call: Shivakumar 99800 08074, Poornima 96064 02979.
Lahe Lahe
Workshop for the family
Learn how to make eco-friendly diyas, rangolis, and greeting cards at a family fun event. Hosted by arts and creative organisation Lahe Lahe, the day will get you into the festive spirit with handmade painters, coasters, and stationery also available. Bring along a container and pick up some snacks for your parties and gatherings.
When: Sunday, November 4
Time:11 am to 6 pm
Where: Lahe Lahe, 80 Feet Road, Indiranagar
Sakshma
Eye donation camps
Samadrushti Kshamatha Vikas and Anusandhana Mandala, an organisation located in Seshadripuram, is dedicated to the empowerment and all-round development of specially abled people. “We conduct awareness programmes in schools and colleges and promote eye donation. Donating eyes will light up someone else’s life and that is the kind of light festival we would like to celebrate, “ says Vinod Prakash, national Executive member of Sakshma.
ARRC
Electronic crackers
ARRC, Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre, located in Horamavu has come up with a social media campaign encouraging the use of electronic crackers, clay oil, non-toxic and vegetable based rangoli colours, biodegradable decorations and regifting to avoid waste.
For details, call 9620286800.
Bare Necessities
Handmade home care
Bare Necessities is a Bangalore-based zero waste brand, offering handmade personal and home care products. Everything is made from organic, local, and ethically sourced ingredients and sold in recyclable packaging, eliminating waste. Its Deepavali gift bundle, priced at Rs 1,000, contains a terracotta body scrub, a turmeric spa bar, an annatto spa bar and a Multani mitti face mask. Find them at shops like Happy Healthy Me, Go Native or Ethic Attic, or online at barenecessities.in
Om Made Cafe
Made by Indian artisans
Om Made Cafe in Koramangala has a range of gifting options which are sustainable, eco-friendly and made by Indian local artisans. They have partnered with brands like Phool, Tulsi, Tea Box and have come up with eco-friendly gifting options. Visit them and contribute to an eco-friendly festival. Entry is free.
When: November 2-11
Where: Om Made Cafe Rooftop, Koramangala
Time: 3 pm to 9 pm
Earthiness
Natural cosmetics
This online shop provides products for the environmentally conscious people. It has plenty of Deepavali-theme hampers, including a haircareThis online shop provides products for .theset with shampoo bars, hair oil, and gel. Reach them at 091379 69305.