Undeterred by the disappointment, the society decided to contribute more to the idea of cutting down use of plastics. And its efforts paid off this year.
All the excitement and gusto that come with Ganeshotsav literally drowned for the residents of Amol Housing Society in Mulund East when overflowing water from a drain choked with plastic bags inundated their Ganpati pandal in 2017.
Undeterred by the disappointment, the society decided to contribute more to the idea of cutting down use of plastics. And its efforts paid off this year.
The society won the award under the Big Eco Idea category, part of DNA's Eco Ganesha 2018 campaign, for spreading awareness. It set up its Ganpati pandal in the form of a giant cloth bag.
Celebrating the festival since 39 years, the society has gone for an eco-friendly clay idol for the past decade. Over the past few years, the members have also avoided the use of plastic and thermocol in decoration, used discarded cartons instead.
"On the fifth day of Ganeshotsav last year, the water level increased rapidly following heavy rain, but it showed no signs of receding though there is an open drain nearby. The pandal was waterlogged and water even entered my apartment, said Dilip Palkar who lives on the ground floor.
The members later found out that the nearby nullah was clogged with plastic bags. "Though we were conscious of environmental issues, this firsthand experience proved to be an eye opener for us," said Palkar, who designed the decorations this year and received the award on behalf of his team.
Palkar installed the Ganpati idol in a giant cloth bag, which he and other residents stitched together from left-over rags from tailor-shops. "We used cartons which come with television sets and refrigerators and even the roll on which the cotton thread is bound to make the frame of the giant cloth bag. Our aim was to remind people that using reusable cloth bags is the only way forward. A couple of years ago our theme was about tree felling and the decreasing number of bird nests. This award by DNA will inspire us to set an example in eco-friendly celebrations." added Palkar.
Other winners in individual categories also came up with innovative ideas. For some of them, it was the first year of delving into an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. Sahana, a Belapur resident had made decoration using banana leaves in addition to having a shaadu maati (clay) idol. Kalpana Karwat of Kandivali took part in the competition for the first time. She used fallen leaves for the decoration around her ganpati which was made from red soil.
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