Sparing a thought for the environment

Turning Eco-Friendly

As one can notice, the streets and markets in the City are lined up with umpteen Ganesha idols. And you know that the festive spirit has set in when people start visiting various stalls to take their favourite idol home.

Every year, an appeal is made by the pollution board to use only eco-friendly Ganesha at home. Over the last few years, a large number of people are moving towards eco-friendly Ganesha and saying no to the plaster-of-Paris ones. Hence, not only has the demand for these eco-friendly idols increased but also the awareness on the advantages of using these idols.

Lolita Gupta, of ‘e-coexist’, an organisation that sells eco-friendly Ganesha, too says that there has been an increase in the demand for these idols. “Unlike before, people nowadays are more aware. In fact even idol-makers know that people want to pick up idols made out of clay alone and nothing else,” she adds.

While many idol-makers feel that not only are the plaster-of-Paris idols fast-selling and materials are cheaper, but they look more beautiful, there are also a few traditional ones, who still believe that there is nothing more beautiful that the ones made out of clay.

“The significance of the idol is that the god is made out of mud, given life by goddess Parvathi and when he is submerged, he goes back to his original form. So clay Ganes­ha idols bring in more value to the festival,” says Gopalan, an idol-maker in Wilson Garden.

As for beautifying the idol, many say that it can be done even on the clay ones. “Some of us even use colours that are environment-friendly to beautify these idols so that in no way can these idols harm the environment,” says Krishna, an idol-maker at Yediyur Lake.

Krishnan, a student, says that his family has made it a tradition to buy only eco-friendly Ganesha. “Actually the last three generations in our family have always brought home idols made out of clay, so it has become almost a habit for us,” he adds.

Many youngsters too have joined the bandwagon. Swarnalatha, a second-year MA student, says that she along with her friends have taken a pledge to use only eco-friendly Ganesha.  “Every year, we read so much about the lakes being polluted and we thought that it was time we did something about it.

Ever since we understood how beneficial it is to buy these idols, there has been no looking back. Not only are they affordable but also easily available now,” she adds. Looks like everyone is gearing up for a green Ganesha Habba.