Be the Change - GO FOR GREEN (Clay) GANESHA

“Either you buy a Ganesh of Bronze or copper that won’t be immersed, but preserved in your house or buy only clay idols of Ganesh with vegetable colours, as these get absorbed into environment within just ten days without causing harm to environment.” Mr. Prasad and Mr. Atchuta Ramaiya from the Pollution Control Board conducted a fascinating workshop at Pragathi Schools on 11^th September to encourage children to propagate the idea of protecting the environment which usually suffers due to Ganesh immersion following Ganesh Chaturthi. The harmful chemicals that get released into water bodies in any locality post Ganesh Chaturthi are mainly from any Plaster of Paris idol which is not only non-biodegradable, its deposition in the bed of a pond or river spreads harmful chemicals like cadmium, mercury that harms aquatic life and reduces oxygen content of water. Plastic thermocols and chemical colours used for decoration are equally harmful pollutants. Pragathi students started a poster campaign thereafter to spread the message and idea of eco-friendly Ganesh. Children came up with brilliantly innovative ideas to make their clay idols of Ganesh look great by using coloured lentils, flower petals, fine sand soaked in spinach paste, turmeric paste, indigo leaf paste, violet from jamoon berries or even yellow tree resins and even a combination of turmeric and oil to get red. They also made Ganesh idols of wheat and rice flour, with combination of atta and ghee decorating them with vegetable colours made by them.  And why wouldn’t they? The school had already announced a competition whereby the best idol will be displayed and rewarded.