Says Maniesh Paul, who has been bringing eco-friendly idols home for the past 10 years
Maniesh Paul shifted from Delhi to Mumbai in 2005 and four years later started celebrating the Ganesh Utsav by bringing an idol home. What’s more, from the first year itself, the popular TV host has been opting for eco-friendly murtis and inspiring friends to follow suit. Here, the actor tells us how important it is to be eco-conscious even as one welcomes Bappa.
A DECADE WITH BAPPA
Maniesh has been bringing Ganpati home for the past 10 years and what’s special about it is that it’s made of mud. “That is my contribution to the environment,” says the singer-actor. In fact, for the first three years, his wife Sanyukta used to create the idol herself. “She is a good artist, but with the kids around, it is not possible for her to do it anymore,” he adds. So now, they buy the murti from farmers in Latur. “My wife found this out when she was looking for an idol. It’s good because it helps the farmers, too,” he mentions.
INSPIRING FRIENDS TO BE ECO-CONSCIOUS
Maniesh prefers to conserve energy even when it comes to the decoration by using only flowers and lights. “It is important to be conscious about the environment. Even my daughter loves it and tells her friends about it,” says the proud papa, who is happy that more and more people are making an effort to opt for a green Ganesha. “Many of my friends have switched to eco-friendly idols. Even in my building, every year, I have people coming up to me and telling me that they too have done the same,” he says happily.
During Ganpati, Maniesh keeps his door open for everybody to seek blessings of the Elephant God. “People start dropping in from six in the morning. I like to invite everybody and even those who don’t get an invite, are welcome,” says the host. This being the 10th year, his cousins from London had specially flown down because they wanted to experience the festival. “In Delhi, we would not keep an idol, but when I came to Mumbai, I felt I have to. I have a special connect with Ganpatiji. I am a staunch believer in Him and whatever I have got has been because of His blessings. Also, I feel, it is Ganpatiji, who decides to come to our house,” he adds.
NO DIET DAYS
The actor, who is a fitness freak, and strict about his diet, makes an exception during the festival. “Mine is a Punjabi household, so lunch and dinner are elaborate. I am very fond of meetha, and since my mother is here, I had to have the halwa and kheer that she makes,” smiles Maniesh.
ECO-FRIENDLY VISARJAN
The actor, who keeps Ganpati for one-and-a-half days, is also particular about the way the idol is immersed. “It’s sad to see the idol that you have worshipped, lying broken on the beaches the following day of the immersion. It also pollutes the sea water, the entire visarjan process (where people are dancing to loud music) also creates noise pollution and traffic jams, which goes against my thought. So, I do the immersion at home and pour the water on the plants in the building compound,” he signs off.
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