NGOs promote hot air balloons, eco-friendly firecrackers for Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa, the advent of New Year, is celebrated in a grand, traditional way in Thane.

Apart from the traditional puja of gudis, residents also light firecrackers on the occasion. However, to make this Gudi Padwa more special, Thane-based non governmental organisation Enviro Vigil has requested residents to light kandils and hot air balloons instead of bursting crackers.

Shrilata Menon, who is associated with Enviro Vigil, says, "Light earthen diyas and kandils to mark beginning of New Year. One can also light hot air balloons to promote eco-friendly Gudi Padwa celebration."

Eco-friendly crackers with less noise and smoke are available in the market, so rather than purchasing conventional crackers, people should prefer to buy these ones, she advises.

For the last few years, the NGO has been spreading awareness among people to have eco-friendly celebration for Gudi Padwa and encouraging them not to burst crackers. Workshop and training on how to use hot air balloon was conducted at Central Maidan from March 27 to 29 to promote the use of these balloons.

With these small efforts, many NGOs are trying to sensitize people to have eco-friendly celebration.

Apart from noiseless celebration, people must also take care of nirmalya and ensure that they are not thrown around. Puja waste must be collected and disposed of in nirmalaya collection.

Bhatu Sawant from Samarath Bharat Vyas Peeth says, "We have always encouraged people to collect waste and hand it over to us. The collected waste would then be converted into manure, which can be used for plants."

Some NGOs from the Central Suburbs have also been appealling to residents to plant tress, as a mark of good beginning for the New Year.