With Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations under-way, the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) has chosen a unique way to make Bengaluru’s festive galore a little more closer to the heart. A workshop was recently held for participants to make their own clay Ganesha idols at Lakshmi Devi Park in Koramangala. The participants, ranging from children to senior citizens, found it to be a fun and creative way to celebrate the festival by creating their own idol with their hands.
But the initiative doesn’t end there. The very idea of B.PAC’s workshop was to be an an eye-opener to the ill-effects of using idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) and non-biodegradable paints on water bodies. B.PAC organiser Raghavendra HS said: “The campaign is named ‘Mane Maneyalli Mannina Ganapa’ (a clay Ganesha for every home). The objective is to promote eco-friendly behaviour among Bengaluru’s citizens. Even Ganesha won’t be happy about celebrating the festival by harming the environment.”
B.PAC will be taking the campaign to 20 wards across Bengaluru with the co-ordination of respective civic leaders. Sowmya Reddy, the civic leader-cum-campaign promoter of BTM Layout and Jayanagar said: “PoP Ganesha idols are already banned by the government. From the government’s side, action to control immersing PoP Ganesha idols in water bodies during the festival is already under-way. We can’t expect a sudden change because the practice is deeply rooted in society.” Sowmya emphasised on the need for a wide range of awareness activities with civic engagement to tackle the issue of environmental degradation. “We are focusing on families, especially children. As a step towards sustainable development and afforestation, we have inserted seeds in each Ganesha idol. When the idol is immersed, you can sow it in the soil and water it every day.”
Raghavendra added: “Bengaluru is growing rapidly and thousands of problems are also on the rise. A majority of the problems can be solved if we are ready to spare a little time for it. B.PAC is moulding citizens to lead others and make our city worth living for future generations. This clay modelling workshop is just one part of it.”
The children were the highlight of the event. Six-year-old Navami S Rao said: “I learned to make a beautiful clay Ganesha and this time we are worshipping my Ganesha at home. I will not use PoP Ganesha.” Another participant Lakshmi Chalapathi, the civic leader of Jakkasandra, said “Usually we buy clay idols for Vinayaka Chaturthi. Now, there is no need to buy it from outside. Through this workshop, we enjoyed making it with our family and friends.”