It's time for you to send in your photographs and ideas for the dna Eco Ganesha celebrations presented by Tata Housing. As in the past four years, the aim of the event is to encourage housing societies and individuals to celebrate the occasion in an eco-friendly manner.
dna is committed to keeping the environment clean and one of the most important ways to guard Mother Nature is to not use non-degradable materials.
Last year, the campaign attracted more than 600 participants and this year we expect to top that number. Once again the theme is "Panch Mahabhooth" – the five major elements of nature.
Ganesha is also known as the lord of nature, its preserver. Therefore,the focus on respect and care for the five elements: air (vayu), water (jal), fire (agni), sky (aakash) and earth (bhoomi).
Dr Vivek Chaurasia, one of the winners last year, said he would participate in the eco-friendly celebrations again this year. "My Ganesh idol is made from papier-mache and I will use organic dyes for colour," he said.
Kalpana Jhaveri, a resident of Girgaon Chowpatty, said she has made an idol utilizing newspapers. "Last year, I made an idol of chocolate and cake. I tried using corn balls and kurmura chikki, but it seems that Ganesha didn't want these materials this year," she laughs.
Anil Banpael, an official with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, puts the objectives of his organisation into practice. "The Ganesh idol is made of sand on the theme 'Stop Noise Pollution'. Ganesha doesn't need loudspeakers. A quiet celebration is one of the best ways to celebrate the festival," he said.
Housing societies also organise celebrations are keen to participate in the competition.
Amol Parab of STRIKERZzz, at New Gokul Garden, Kandivli, said the group is focusing on saving the forts. "The main pandal is made of waste materials like newspapers, wheat flour, cardboard, wood, charcoal and ash. The idol is made of papier-mache and is coloured using organic colours," he said.
Individuals and housing societies using eco-friendly materials for the celebrations are invited to send pictures of the idol and the setting and the winners will be presented awards at a glittering ceremony. Details are available on ecoganesha.money-on-mobile.com.
People are also encouraged to share ways to organise an eco-friendly celebration and how to protect the environment. The best ideas will be featured in the dna and could also win an award. Entries must be sent to bigecoidea@dnaindia.net.
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