Never refuse to reuse. The trend of fashioning eco-friendly Ganesh idols has become increasingly popular, over the last few years. We have seen numerous innovative versions of Lord Ganesha that are unique & environmentally affable. However, there are still many still opting for Plaster of Paris (POP) idols. POP can be quite harmful to nature & the ecosystem.
In a bid to narrow this surging crime on nature, these youngsters from Bandra’s Pali Hill, fashion Ganesh idols using natural clay. These idols dissolve in the water on immersion. Meet Sachin & his kin, who make Ganesh idols that can later transform into a plant.
‘I could not see my faith & talent floating in the water’ Sachin reveals what made him switch from POP to natural clay. ‘Earlier, I would make POP idols. On one occasion, my friends came to me, on the next day of immersion, to inform me that they saw my POP idol floating near the beach. The fact that later my idol would be taken to a dumping ground, broke my heart. I couldn’t imagine my faith in Ganpati & my talent, floating aimlessly in the water. It is a huge insult for the god himself. That is when I decided to make Ganpati idols with only natural material, no other!
Why do people opt for POP even after knowing its effects?
POP idols are lighter & much cheaper, which is why most people choose POP. Unfortunately, they are not aware of its consequences. It is necessary to make people conscious of the repercussions POP can have & how it will have a horrifying effect on the environment & our future generations.
Tell us about the cost of the raw materials used & how it affects the business.
So, we use this clay called shadu mati; It is the soil found along the river banks & mangroves in the sea. The cost of this clay is very cheap & the results are amazing. A little shadu mati with some natural colors, presents you with a perfect idol.
Would the lockdown have an impact on Ganesh Chaturthi festival this year, as Maharashtrians celebrate this particular utsav with so much joy & enthusiasm?
Yes, you are right; all Maharashtrians have this unexplainable feeling when it comes to Ganpati. I will surely miss dancing on visarjans, visiting Lalbaugcha Raja, Ganesh galli, however, when you think deeply, not pandemic but the lockdown has been beneficial, here’s how. Ganesh Chaturthi this year, will be celebrated peacefully, without any unnecessary buzz.
You spoke about visarjans, your idols can transform into a plant after immersion, how’s that?
Well, my idols are made with natural clay, which is gardening soil. Once you immerse the idol in a pot, it will dissolve into the soil, then put some seeds, add water & you have a plant ready.
Tell us more about your family business, who is your support system?
I may be leading the business but my three sisters & friend Rahul are my support system. Rahul & I would work together. Then he pursued engineering, which is why he took a break. That did not stop him from encouraging me. My elder sister gives me that financial aid which is required to run the trade. We do not look at it from a business perspective though, it is our faith & concern for the environment, which makes us elect clay over POP.
What are the different ways to celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav?
Other than eco-friendly Ganesh idols, people can use reusable decorative items, like the same plastic flowers can be used every year for decorations; idols can be immersed in a simple way rather than with loud bands & DJs which contribute to noise pollution.
Any message for our readers?
Yes, I urge everyone to get familiar with things that harm our environment, also reduce the amount of plastic that you use. In Ganesh Chaturthi, instead of wasting money on expensive decorations, distribute food to the poor or plant a tree.
Rahul says, ‘We bring Lord Ganesh into our home with lots of faith & respect. However, while immersing him, we should also maintain the same respect & not leave Ganesh half floating in the murky water the next day. Respecting Ganesh is respecting nature’.
