Malabar spinach growing on resurrected Ganesh idol

Nagpur: Amid thousands of Ganesh idols that will be immersed on Thursday in the city, there will be one exception.
Ten feet tall, the life-size idol tested the underwater last year. It lost its colours, miniature decorative mirrors, shining silk wraps and other aesthetic components after a mandal immersed it. It was all set to meet the fate of other idols — being dug out, loaded in a truck and disposed of somewhere.
The idol caught the eye of a conscientious group which decided to bring it home along with a truckload of another dug-out idol remains.
The residents of Friends Colony brought this truckload to their community garden last year and started using the leftover husk as a compost. About two years back, TOI had reported how these residents turned an unused land in Jagruti Colony (near Friends Colony) to start community farming. Since then, a variety of organic vegetables have been growing at about an acre area.
“After the immersions of idols, only the husk remains. We spread the husk of small idols underneath a layer of soil and it soon started decomposing, acting as natural compost for plants. Today, rich tomatoes and other vegetables are growing on it,” said Rupinder Nanda, a resident.
But what is catching all eyes is the big Ganpati idol which despite losing all its colours has turned green today. Consecrated this year during the festive season, this green Ganpati is supporting long thick climbers of Malabar spinach.
“For us, it is more about spreading awareness on sustainability. For many, reusing an already immersed idols might be wrong but it is important to realize the damage we are doing to environment,” said Nanda.
The residents want to spread a simple message — the only way to save environment is reusing the idols. Eco-friendly or not, the quantity of idols needs to go down.
“Even if a majority of people start establishing eco-friendly idols made from pure clay rather than plaster of Paris (PoP), our water bodies will still get degraded because of clay immersions. Even when these idols get immersed in artificial tanks, the water inside them is discharged somewhere which damages the surrounding environment,” the residents said.
So how does one ensure environment-friendly celebrations? “The best way is to reduce the number of idols. Today, one lane has multiple big idols. Ganeshotsav has turned into a competition where people want their idol to look best. It is not about the aesthetic value but sustainability. Idols should be reused,” said Nanda.