An Eco-friendly Ganpati Utsav!

While most of our telly stars are gearing-up to bring home the god of prosperity, they're also not forgetting their responsibility and are taking a pledge to bring home eco-friendly Ganpati idols. Looks like all the awareness campaigns by various youth organizations have led to this changed mindset. Supriya Pilgaonkar, who won millions of hearts with her energetic dance performances in Nach Baliye with hubby Sachin is getting home an idol made of edible gum and ink that is affable to the nature. She says, "This year, I've ordered an idol made up of paper mache that can be easily recycled. I'll not use clay idols as they're too heavy and it becomes difficult to take it for visarjan." Rajeshwari Badola is also doing the same "like every year, this year too I'll bring home an eco-friendly idol. In fact, I want all Ganpati bhakths to do the same." Mannish Goyal and wife Poonam are looking forward to celebrate this festival with much zeal too. "I'm regretting it now, but it's too late to do anything. However, I want people not to do what I did," quips Poonam. Ronit Roy, who's plans to get a small idol this time. He says, "I'm very fond of this elephant headed god but don't believe in the concept of visarjan as it's the sole reason for the deaths of many water animals. This time, I'm planning to get an idol made up of paper pulp, which will reduce pollution and won't harm fishes." For Rajshree Thakur it'll be a special occasion as it's her first Ganesh Chaturthi post marriage. "I'm very fussy about getting small idols made of paper pulp. This time, I'll get idol whose crown and ornaments will be of golden vegetable color, which is not harmful. I believe people should avoid immersion, as the water bodies get polluted. Also, the idols are washed ashore during low tide and the sea shore also get affected or they should be aware of the need to celebrate our festivals in an eco-friendly way," she sighs. Our new glamorous Tulsi, Gautami Kapur, plans not only to get eco-friendly idol but flowers too. "I'm very particular about using bio-degradable Ganpati idols. But this year I've planned something more than that as will use flowers that can be recycled to worship bappa. It's a simple process of extracting natural dyes from the flowers and then use all again," explains Gautami.