Come 2013, Andheri mandal to make, sell eco-Ganesha

To bring in authentic green Ganesh idols in the adulterated market, the Kranti Mitra Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (KMSGM) in Andheri has decided to set up a workshop where eco-friendly idols will be made and sold.

The workshop will be set up six months before the Ganesh festival next year. “We have decided to call a sculptor from the Konkan region. This will help curb cases of cheating vendors and plaster of Paris (PoP) idols being sold in the disguise of eco-friendly Ganeshas,” a KMSGM member said.

KMSGM was the first mandal in city to point out that an idol’s height cannot be used as an excuse to not use environment-friendly material. Konkan artist Pramod Palav has designed a 21-foot-tall Ganpati idol with shaadu maati (clay), and mandal office-bearers claim this idol dissolves within 15 to 20 minutes of immersion.”Making such tall idols with eco-friendly material is not a problem. I have proved this twice. Their safety is also not an issue if they are made carefully. But very few artists can make such idols. Most of them use PoP,” Palav said.

When he was in the city three weeks ago to give finishing touches to his idol, Palav visited some workshops to enquire about the material they use. “They showed me idols made of PoP and said these were the eco-friendly models. When I pointed this out, they argued with me,” Palav said. “To fulfil devotees’ demand for eco-friendly idols, mandals are ready to set up workshops.”

Inspired by the KMSGM green idol, some of the nearest mandals approached the KMSGM officer bearer for details of the idol and expressed their desire to install similar idols next year. “People need to be more aware of how polluting PoP idols are and actively participate in bringing about a change,” said Sanjay Deotale, the environment minister. According to  KMSGM treasurer Abhishek Vyas, they have been approached by six mandals so far.

Ganeshotsav is about people’s devotion to god as well as respecting the environment. “It’s not just a short-term benefit, but will also help preserve the environment for the next generation,” said Rajiv Kumar Mittal, secretary of the pollution control board. “It’s important that everyone consciously switches over to environment-friendly celebrations of major festivals.”
An artist from central Mumbai, Kedar Dahibaokar said, “This year, I got orders for 15 eco-Ganeshas. People should approach us well before the festival as making eco-friendly idols takes time. When devotees come two or three weeks before the festival, we don’t any choice but to make PoP idols.”