Everybody is fanatic by filled lakes and above all they are urging now, to preserve this beauty forever, for everyone’s delight some great thinkers of the city are already working in this direction by taking in account every small work that can be done to safeguard our city’s pride.

THOUGHT PROCESS

On Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most devotedly celebrated festivals of Hindus; families establish idols of Ganesha at their home and perform puja (worship) daily or for 10 days. On the 11th day, the statue is taken through the streets in a procession to be immersed in lakes as a ritual see-off. But in midst of overwhelming festive environment our lakes suffer silently.

SOLUTION

To combat the pollution caused by these idols after immersing them in lake water, the team of Shikshantar is making an effort by promoting Ganesha idols made up of clay.

This clay is obtained from the lakes of the village Molela. It gets dissolves in the lake water in 10-15 minutes whereas the materials like POP (Plaster of Paris) take years to dissolve. Also, the POP idols are painted with colors which use water polluting chemicals. In an effort to stop water pollution by these chemicals, containing heavy metals this group is planning to color them by using natural colours.

Shikshantar is buying unbaked clay idols from a potter named Jagdish at Molela and selling them in city at nominal prices. A reasonable large size of these idols can be made by baking them and even after baking, these idols will dissolve maximum in a month’s time.

By selling these statues at very cheaper rates (Rs. 20-35) they want to improve the market of clay idols. These idols are suggested and sold to the people attending various programs organized at Shikshantar after conveying them its significance.

They started the task this year and would like to expand it in next year. This team is giving a message to the Udaipurites to keep their lakes clean. If you are really keen to save the lakes of the city by pollution and want to feel proud over lakes for entire year, not for just a month or so than shake hands with vision of Shikshantar.

People usually say that they do not get any chance to show what they can do for their city, then here, we are giving you a chance. On the day of Ganpati Visarjan, many idols will be immersed in lakes leading to pollution but with this innovation of Clay idols, pollution can be controlled largely.

Please do not use POP idols painted with synthetic colors in this festive season.

Contact Shikshantar

Manish Jain

Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education and Development 83 Adinath Nagar Near Star Hospital, Kharol Colony

Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313004

Tel: 91-294-245-1303