PoP out, clay is crowning glory for Lord Ganesha this year

HYDERABAD: With just three days left for the Ganesh Chathurthi, sale of Ganesha idols has picked up in the city. This time the demand for clay and eco-friendly idols is high, thanks to the awareness campaign by various government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has prepared 1.97 lakh clay Ganesha idols for free distribution. "Last year, the PCCB ordered 1.40 lakh clay Ganeshas and based on the response, we have increased the number this year," an official of the TSPCB said. The clay idols prepared by the pollution control board are eco-friendly and come with natural colours. This is in contrast to idols made of plaster of Paris and painted with chemical colours. Officials hope that this year many people will shift to clay idols.

This year, the campaign promoting eco-friendly Ganesha idols was launched by all government and private educational institutions in the city in June, well ahead of Ganesh Chathurthi. In fact, the campaigners concentrated on educational institutions to educate children about the need for clay idols.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has ordered 40,000 clay Ganesh idols. These idols are eight inches tall.

"Natural colours are used in all these idols. The cost of each idol is 27.90, but they are distributed at a subsidized rate of 10 through Urban Forestry wing in various parks of HMDA and other specified locations. The aim is to promote eco-friendly idols and to create awareness among people on conservation of lakes," said HMDA superintending engineer Maji Shareef.

Srinivasa Reddy, an idol seller, said when he started selling idols four years ago he could not sell even 1,000 clay idols. "But in the last two years the demand for clay Ganesh idols has increased by four times," he said.

He said clay idols can be immersed in water at home and the clay can be used in home gardens. He claimed of exporting about 10,000 clay Ganesh idols to countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia.

"We buy clay idols on Ganesh Chathurthi and offer pooja. Later, we immerse the idols in water at home. We cannot do this with idols made of plaster of Paris," said S Hanumantha Rao, a resident of Somajiguda.