Hyderabad, September 5, 2013: It started as a small idea and took 15 years to begin taking shape. Amid concerns of large-scale immersion of idols damaging the city’s water bodies during Vinayaka Chaturthi, the use of eco-friendly idols was initiated in 1998. Over the years, the idea has been catching on.

Moving away from the Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, that also come with synthetic colours, both seen as causing harm to water bodies, more and more people in the city have begun moving towards eco-friendly or ‘Green’ Ganesha idols. In the last two years, there has been considerable rise in the demand for the clay idols. Some suppliers say its demand has outstripped availability.

Most key government wings from the GHMC and HMDA to the AP Pollution Control Board this year, are readying clay idols in large numbers. At the same time, voluntary bodies and environmental groups are in the forefront of promoting and making available these idols. The GHMC, for the second consecutive year, has made arrangements to provide moulds and material to schools for students to prepare their own clay idols. Interested schools have been asked to contact the Health and Sanitation wing for clay and blocks. During a meeting with representatives of educational institutions and NGOs, GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu has assured all possible help in propagating the concept of eco-friendly idols during the coming festivities.

This year, the HMDA has put nearly 30,000 eight-inch clay idols at a cost of Rs.12.50 through distribution centres across the city from September 6 to 8. For more details, log onto www.hmda.gov.in.

Demand for eco-friendly idols has gone up and the lack of availability was observed last year, says M. Vijaya Bhaskar, secretary of the Rotary Club of Greater Hyderabad. This year, the club has made arrangements for around 25,000 idols. “We have already received bookings for 14,000 idols. In next three days, we might exhaust our supply,” Mr. Bhaskar said.

He underscored the need to increase the availability as more and more were shifting to the use of clay idols. “There is a positive response but the supply is not meeting the demand,” he quipped. For the last few years, Vijay Ram of the Society for Awareness and Vision on Environment (SAVE) has been leaving no stone unturned to popularise these idols. Mr. Ram is now ready with more than 2,000 idols of 4.5 feet size. Another 500 have been made available in Warangal. “The response has been unexpected and tremendous. From next year, we are planning to start training artisans in the preparation of these idols in other districts too,” he said.

The APPCB is looking at providing 150 idols of five-feet size, one for each ward in the GHMC area.

“Last year, there were no clay idols left in the market even when there was demand,” recalled W.G. Prasanna Kumar, Director, AP National Green Corps.

One of the earliest proponents of the clay idols, Mr. Kumar said the concept began with focus on idols taken for home.

Source: The Hindu, September 5, 2013