HINDU BLOG CONTENT

HINDU BLOG

This year numerous organizations, people and government are laying special emphasis on eco-friendly Ganesh idols. Shri Satguru Aniruddha Upasana Trust (SSAUT), headed by Dr Aniruddha Joshi (popularly known as Bapu), has been creating environment friendly Ganesha idols from paper pulp during the last couple of years. This year the Trust has received over a thousand orders from Mumbai itself. In 2008, Ganesh Chaturthi is on September 3.

The Ganesh idols of Satguru Aniruddha Upasana Trust use papier mache and vegetable paints. Since these idols are made from cheap and natural materials, the cost of a finished 12 feet paper pulp Ganesh idols is less than 1500 rupees. The price of small idols range from Rupees 125 to 600. The workshop of Satguru Aniruddha Upasana Trust (SSAUT) which is involved in making the idols is in Bandra.

The growing number of people opting for eco-friendly Ganesh idols is a clear indication of the success of awareness campaign conducted by individuals and organizations. The BMC has already requested Ganesh Committees in Mumbai to use eco-friendly idols and if they are using Plaster of Paris idols to reduce the size.

In Pune, the nerve center of Ganesh Festivals in Maharashtra, eCoexist and several other organizations are campaigning for Shaddu (Natural Clay) idols.

There are also strong campaigns in other districts in Maharashtra for pollution free Ganesh Chaturthi. NGOs and governments in Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are appealing to people to use clay Ganesh idols painted with natural paints.

The message of eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi has only reached certain sections of the society. Ganesh Chaturthi is a mass celebration and for the campaign to be more effective local language newspapers and electronic media needs to be used more aggressively. Something like what the campaigners did for voting for Taj Mahal during the now controversial New Seven Wonders campaign.

Now, paper pulp idols Preeti Mudliar

Pune, September 24: For about 35 families in the city, this Ganeshotsav has been a celebration of the environment as well. Welcoming Ganesh idols made of paper pulp into their homes, they ensured that they did not contribute to the unholy water pollution caused by immersing idols of Plaster of Paris.

All thanks to Mumbai-based Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust that, while researching for an alternative to the pollution caused by Plaster of Paris idols, chanced upon the feasibility of moulding idols out of paper pulp. This year we decided to address the root of the pollution and experimented with making idols of paper pulp. he idols are simple to make, with the whole process lasting just eight days. ‘‘The idols can be made out of waste raddi paper soaked for three days. It is then ground into pulp and left to dry. Then it is mixed with clay and arrowroot powder. This mixture is pressed into readymade moulds and dried for three hours.’’ Starting in August, the trust made close to 300 idols of six, nine and 13 inches, costing Rs 75, 150 and 175 respectively. With around 185 centres across India it received 235 orders for Mumbai, 35 came from Pune.

Says Pravin Wagh, head of the Pune centre, ‘‘All Pune members who install Ganesh idols at their homes, opted for the eco-friendly paper pulp idols from Mumbai. Natural products helps in curbing pollution.’’