‘Barood vs Beej’ battle to spark green Diwali

Nagpur: What would give you more contentment? Burning crackers with toxic metals that are life-threatening or sowing crackers and nurturing a new life?
For those who would go with the latter, meet the 100 farm labourers and home makers from Paradsinga, a small village about 60 kilometres from Nagpur, who have launched a battle of ‘Barood versus Beej’.
Producing probably the first seed crackers in the country, these women have launched the project under the Gram Art Project (GAP). “These crackers are handmade and contain local seeds, ethically sourced by local farmers and forest dwellers. A replica of real crackers, these ones have been made by using recycled paper and designed by a team of dedicated graphic designers,” said Shweta Bhattad, renowned artist and co-worker of GAP.
Dangerous chemicals present in conventional crackers have been replaced by a variety of seeds — the microgreen ladi contains seeds of red amaranthus, green amaranthus, senna tora, radish, mustard, purslane and spinach; tikli comprises of coriander seeds, rocket has cucumber seeds, while anaar and laxmi bomb have seeds of golden shower tree, agasti and sonapatti and okra respectively.
The idea behind the initiative was to find a healthy alternative for crackers. “There has been a lot of discussion on ban on crackers. We realized that people have sentiments attached with crackers and children too want them. So, we decided to create something which looks exactly like firecrackers but does not harm human health, environment, animals and birds,” said Bhattad.
To celebrate a conscious Diwali, all you have to do is soak these crackers in water for 1-2 hours, then sow the seeds in wet mud. And you’ll soon see the benefits of your healthy reaping. “All the seeds can be planted in kitchen garden, pots or any open space. We have chosen local seeds instead of hybrid ones so that you can share what you grow,” added Bhattad.
Does the artist think that it would be difficult for people to give up crackers as often they are attached with religious sentiments? “I don’t think any religion promotes harming the environment or humans. Lord Ram himself was a nature lover. It’s time to start a constructive debate on these practices,” she said.
To support rural women and save the environment, one can buy these crackers at www.gramartproject.org.