Ganesha Chaturthi is a reminder for us of that unfathomable, unknowable supreme consciousness, which has no beginning and no end. All beings are created out of that supreme divine and will dissolve back into that vast ocean. Beings of nature are also representation of that vastness existing in silence, yet active all the time to serve the world.
While we enthusiastically celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi festival for 10 days bringing idols of Ganesha home or in pandals , pray with great pomp and show, we fail to remember that somewhere we are forgetting the beings of Nature that are Ganpati ‘s extension only.
Much before the festival, artisans start preparing idols of Ganesha. The statues are generally made from plaster of paris (not eco-friendly), painted with paints containing lead, and decorated with ornaments and clothes high in nickel, cadmium and mercury. And after 10 days statues are immersed in river or sea.
Have you ever thought its effect on the water body? Plaster of paris reduces oxygen level in water and thus is responsible for the killing of aquatic life, fishes and aquatic plants. Decoration elements as paints cosmetics, artificial flowers and jewellery increase heavy metals in water thus affecting its PH balance which makes water harmful for all. Flowers and other oily substances increase in organic and inorganic matter in water body and disrupt the flow of river and damage aquatic life. Causing stagnation of water at places and creating breeding grounds for harmful insects. Plastic and polythene are hazardous materials for aquatic life.
The need of the hour is to bring change in our attitude and move towards eco-friendly Ganesha idols, with no compromise on the quality of our celebrations. A small change can save our Nature and aquatic life.
A small initiative to bring the change was taken up by Sunshine Society and Ammucare Noida Team with artist Tanvi Saraiya to teach children sculpt clay Ganesha. An initiative to begin with young minds who will carry this message to others. The clay Ganesha sculpted can be placed in homes and temples and then immersed in a water tub; the clay water can be put into the pots.
Children learn more while doing it. It was to let them know how they can save rivers from being polluted. Eco-friendly Ganesha is safe for all – without any health hazard for humans and aquatic life. We are really grateful to Tanvi Saraiya for conducting the Ganesha Sculpting Workshops for the underprivileged children, who are large section of our society. Bringing cheers and smiles and festivities in their lives as they carried Ganesha home to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with their own eco-friendly Ganesha.
