Celebration should also mean inclusion. It should not be about exhibiting the wealth you have. I have always been a propagator of sharing. Celebrations like these cannot be about oneupmanship.
With population growth, the responsibility of being eco-friendly increases. A festival like Ganpati, which used be about collective energy earlier, now has a more individualistic approach. Today, almost every building has their own Ganpati, besides the residents, too, bring one to their house. It also poses questions about safety. These have to be answered by the government as well as people. We have to make sure that this continues to be a festival that adds to your joy.
If you want to live in this city then you have to embrace the reality of it. When it comes to customs, people become militant. We have to understand the changing times and move along with them. I think we have a great collective culture. Collective is a great answer to maintaining harmony especially when it comes to festivals like these. When something is done collectively it takes the load off a lot of things. Be it the cost of the celebration or the effect on the environment.
Celebration should also mean inclusion. It should not be about exhibiting the wealth you have. I have always been a propagator of sharing. Celebrations like these cannot be about oneupmanship. Instead, it should be about sharing your joy with your neighbour. By involving everyone, you also help develop a sense of responsibility in them. It’s a two-way process.
Ganpati celebrations have only increased in the past few years. And that does put pressure on the ecosystem as well as the law and order situation. This should be looked upon by everyone as their individual responsibility. A person driving the car should be as careful of the following the traffic rules as the one crossing the road. The effort has to be collective. Similarly both the government and people should take it upon themselves to their bit to ensure that festivals like these can be celebrated without having to worry about safety of individuals or the eco-system.
I think it’s great that your publication is supporting an initiative like eco-Ganesha. If every individual does his or her bit the festival will not only be an occasion to spread joy, but it will also ensure that it is celebrated without causing any harm to the environment too.
—As told to Harshada Rege
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 "Prasoon Joshi")
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