Go for eco-friendly idols

Colourful Ganeshas lay siege to the lakes of the city every year sounding alarm bells. However, the National Green Corps campaign involving school children to promote the use of clay idols has picked up steam in different areas. Will this bring more people into its fold? S.B. VIJAYA MARY reports.

FESTIVALS ARE moments of great joy and celebration, and in our country people show their faith in unique ways. Simple rituals take on a different colour and with each passing year, they become more cumbersome, the celebrations being on a grandiose scale. During Ganesh Chaturthi, however, the celebration fever reaches a high pitch and everything else is given the go-by.

Devotion and faith is only one aspect. What is of more concern is the question of pollution. Ganesh festival would be welcome if people gave a thought to the lakes of the city.

A gigantic Ganesh idol standing at 40 to 50 ft tall, and its immersion sends people into ecstasy. If only they realised that in their fervour, they were also simultaneously polluting the lake and its surroundings, then perhaps an alternative way would be found to fulfil the religious rites. The solution is not far off, it exists within our reach. If the fact that the colours used to paint the idols contain lead, chromium, cadmium, and these chemicals not only contaminate the water, but damage the aquatic life is understood, then it is easy to accept and change the way the idols are made.

The movement to create awareness and campaign for clay idols, sans colours, is gaining ground especially among children with large number of schools in the State actively participating in the venture. Encouraged and supported by the AP Pollution Control Board, schools across the State which are already into `green activities' under the banner of National Green Corps (NGC), are busy letting children gain first-hand experience of making clay idols and thus prompting them to carry the message to their families and in the neighbourhood. The issue being sensitive as it is the, AP Pollution Control Board is not making an aggressive campaign. Instead, it is motivating children to take up the cause.

Says Social Scientist and state Nodal Officer for NGC Prasanna Kumar, the organisation has a programme throughout the year with focus on one issue every month. Obviously, this month's programme is campaign for the clay idols of Ganesha. Prasanna Kumar says 10,500 teachers were trained at district level throughout the State to orient children for the campaign and conduct awareness programmes and competitions in the respective schools. Says Narasimha, teacher in the Government High School, Yousufguda, about the participation of children in his school: "Nothing works better than showing children the live examples of consequences of pollution. It has great impact on their minds and their commitment is stronger." Agrees Swarnalatha, teacher in-charge of NGC in Kanya Gurkul High School, "The future belongs to children, and if not now, at least in the future, their actions will bear fruit." Sounding confident, she says children have impressionable minds and can apply logic without questioning, unlike adults who do things intentionally."

Students of the Government High School, Somajiguda inform that not only have they pledged to use clay idols, but are vigorously campaigning in their neighbourhood as well. Their teacher in charge Chandrakala says children were genuinely touched by the pollution issue and showed their willingness to stick to clay.

The entire issue is focussed on environmental ethics at the same time maintaining the traditional practices. Traditionally, the idols of Ganesha are made either in gold or clay. And since the practice is to make it in clay, their immersion will not pollute the water. Even the prasadam, which is mainly steamed rice savouries, are also put in water. This helps the fish and other aquatic creatures, which feed on them and flourish. The traditional plants and leaves, which Ganesha is decorated with contain medicinal value, and growing them becomes necessary giving way to plant conservation.

Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar may not supply drinking water to the city, but there are 2,500 lakes across the State which are used for drinking water purposes and come September, used for Ganesha idols immersion as well. The extent of pollution in these lakes and its consequences is a big concern. Why not have concern for environment uppermost on our minds this year? The Lord who removes obstacles will surely shower his blessings on those who do not create more obstacles to this earth!