Published in Dwarka Express on 23.9.23

Come September, our traditional festivals start with a bang. As the autumn sets, it is quite natural for us to celebrate and thank God for all the prosperity. Ganesh Puja is the one festival that units India with every region celebrating it with fervor. The Supreme Court on Monday (September 18) refused to interfere with an order passed by the Madras High Court which disallowed the sale of Ganesh idol made of Plaster of Paris. This decision gathers importance in the wake of the ongoing debate about the usage of ecofriendly idols during festivals. Bangalore is always playing the lead role in bringing changes in perceptions. In fact long since, Bangalore has been identifying common immersion centres for immersion of clay made Ganesh Idols. Most of the homes in Bangalore use clay made idols. Once upon a time, whether it is Tamil Nadu or Karnataka, the households used to buy clay made idols only. Just like plastic invaded the country, POP materials replaced our rich tradition. Time has come to reconsider the new menace.

A study about the impact of immersion made by CPCB in Bangalore lakes revealed that the acid contents in the water increased enormously. Total dissolved solids (TDS) have increased by 100%. The heavy metal content sampling showed an increase in metals such as iron which increased nearly 10 times and the content of copper in the sediments increased by 200 to 300 %. CPCB has issued a set of guidelines for State and Central Governments to follow not only during immersion but also for using plastic free materials during the Puja. It is very essential that everyone raises to the occasion, cutting across every diversity and exhibit responsibility to save Mother Earth. Last year from July 1^st onwards, our honorable Prime Minister has initiated steps to ban the Single use Plastic. Though plastic per se may take quite a long time to disappear from market, at lease some efforts must be taken to stop polluting our waterbodies and atmosphere. Everyone has to play his part to shun away the non-biodegradable items in our day today life.