Eco-Ganesha celebrates city’s new green spirit

Soon after winning the DNA Eco-Ganesha award on Saturday night for the eco-friendly idol and decorations he put up during the recently concluded Ganeshotsav, Om Prakash Bhutra went home feeling an accomplished man. It was for the first time that his mandal had gone green.

Bhutra’s Manav Kalyan Mandal in Goregaon was among the 20 mandals that were awarded by DNA on Saturday at a function at Le Royal Meridien, Andheri. Over 530 mandals from across the city had participated in the campaign.

“We had been putting up Ganesha idols for the past 40 years,” he said. “It was only this year that we decided to put up an eco-friendly idol following the advice of a corporator. Apart from opting for a clay idol, we also avoided plastic and thermocol in the decorations. It was nice to win an award at our first attempt itself.”

He was all praise for DNA’s initiative. “It is good that such campaigns are conducted and awards given out for eco-consciousness,” he said. “People will be encouraged to have smaller eco-friendly Ganesha idols and decorations.”

The award ceremony was an hour-long programme attended by mayor Shraddha Jadhav among other dignitaries. Zee Sa Re Ga Ma’s superstars, Abhilasha and Abhishek, performed an aarti. This was followed by a performance by the team of Zee Marathi’s comedy show Fu Bai Fu. The award ceremony will be telecast on Zee News at 1.30pm on September 27.

“It is a nice initiative,” said Jadhav. “Any initiative that helps us keep the city clean is welcome. The Ganesh Mahotsav and certain big mandals have become synonymous with the city’s identity. There is not much that can be done other than requesting people to opt for eco-friendly idols. However, with such initiatives, we can at least minimise the hazardous decorations. DNA should continue making such efforts.”

To be an active partner in the development and betterment of the city, DNA had started the Eco-Ganesha campaign, which involved Mumbaikars coming forward to book eco-friendly Ganesha idols made of shadu mati (clay). DNA’s eight-foot papier mache Ganesha idol was placed at the Oberoi Mall, Goregaon. Around 60,000 people pledged that they would opt for eco-friendly festivities next year.

“It’s been a year since we started the DNA eco-friendly Ganeshotsav drive,” said KU Rao, DNA’s chief executive officer. “It is going to give a great platform to those who want to save our environment. DNA has also assisted our society in many other ways — like helping the Mumbai Police with the anti-drunken driving campaign. We try to assist other government agencies like the MMRDA. We firmly believe that such efforts will do the city good. Our main aim is not only to give news but also to encourage people to be part of it and help save our society.”