Mangaluru: The students of the govt school in Bolar, with the help of teachers, are preparing and adorning their homes and schools with eco-friendly goodudeepas this Deepavali season. They have been doing this exercise for the past 11 years.
According to teachers of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School near Mangaladevi in Bolar, the aim of the initiative is to learn about making goodudeepas on their own instead of buying from the market and to promote eco-friendly celebrations. Every student prepares a pair of goodudeepas every Deepavali; one is kept at school, and the rest are adorned at home.
School's assistant teacher Sujata, who started this initiative when she joined the school, said that students bring their own raw materials. The lamps made at the school are environmentally friendly, crafted using coloured paper, drawing sheets, and charts, causing no harm to the environment. After the festival, these lamps can be easily disposed off without harming the environment. Every year, they make it a tradition to create different kinds of decorative lamps. With the support and guidance of teachers, students have found a platform to showcase their hidden talents, said Sujata, adding that every year the design pattern of the goodudeepas is changed.
In shops, decorative lamps are sold in various designs, with varying prices. However, the lamps made by students cost less. Sujata said the cost of making one lamp is just Rs 35, and students also enjoy creating something themselves. This year, 70 students made a total of 60 goodudeepas, and half of them are hung on the school premises.
She added that this is done during free time and not class hours. "With the help of teachers, the students work during their free time," Sujata said.