Environment
Rajasthani Artisan Creates Ganesh Idols From Environment-Friendly Materials
Unlike idols made out of synthetic materials which cause harm to water bodies after their immersion, eco-friendly idols that artist Phool Kumar makes cause them no harm
Highlights
- Idols of all shapes and sizes are available with the artist
- Our ancestors used to practice idol making: Artist Phool Kumar
- Eco-friendly idols are in huge demand: Artist Phool Kumar
Chandigarh: Phool Kumar, an artisan from a remote area in Rajasthan makes Ganesh idols out of environment-friendly materials. Every year before the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, Mr Kumar comes to Chandigarh to sell his idols. The colours and materials used in these idols are eco-friendly. Synthetic materials are not used in making these idols. Unlike idols made out of synthetic materials which cause harm to water bodies after their immersion, these idols cause them no harm.
Also Read: Here’s How You Can Celebrate The Festival In Eco-Friendly Way
Idols of all shapes and sizes are available with the artist. While talking to ANI on Tuesday (September 9), Mr Kumar shared his journey as an idol maker.
Our ancestors used to practice idol making. I learned it from my parents. I made idols in Maharashtra, Delhi and eventually in Chandigarh. I have been in Punjab for years. I make a variety of idols. I mostly make Ganesha idols, said Mr Kumar.
On the process of making idols, he said, “I bring clay in trucks from Haridwar. Craftsmen are arranged from Rajasthan and colours for the idols come from Maharashtra. The work starts four months before the festival. 2,000-2,500 idols are made.”
Eco-friendly idols are in huge demand. I have been getting orders from many places. Also, I sell them at affordable prices between Rs 200 and 800, Mr Kumar said on demand and prices of his idols.
Mr Kumar hopes that people will participate in the festival without harming the environment.
I hope that this time people will take part in Ganesh Chaturthi in large numbers and buy their idols in large numbers as compared to last year. Due to Covid-19 last year, less people came for the idols. I appeal to people that they celebrate the festival without harming the environment, Mr Kumar said.
Also Read: Artists Make Eco-Friendly Cow Dung Ganpati Idols In Gujarat
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
[corona_data_new]