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chikka kereyalli bidda, dodda kereyalli yedda ( Lord Ganesha has arrived, had sweet offerings till he’s full… he dunks into the small lake and then rises out of the big lake)

There was a time when children would sing this every Ganesh Chaturthi. Today’s youth might not do that, but are singing a `green’ tune this festive season.

The eco-ambassadors are gung-ho about celebrating the festival without harming natural surroundings. Some Bangalore schools are leading the way to pass on this message to students. Environmental clubs are rising to the occasion by holding camps, workshops and talks for students. “We believe in spreading the good word,” says Madhuban Haldar, senior environmental coordinator at DPS North, Bangalore. “We have given students guidelines on why they should not use painted idols,” adds Uma Rao, reading facilitator at Gear Innovative International School.

HOW TO DO IT

Teaching kids to make clay idols using natural products does go a long way in preventing pollution. KK English School, Varthur, takes up one such project annually. The school’s eco-friendly Ganesha camp has been on for the past six years.

“We show children how to make idols out of clay. They make it and carry it home for the festival,” says school principal M A Khan.

Similar classes are in full swing at Gear Innovative International School. “You do not need to use paints to make beautiful idols, we show how images can look with flowers and leaves,” says Uma Rao.

Sri Vani Education Centre, Basaveshwaranagar, recently held a session to educate children about the need to use natural products to make idols,” elaborates K L Shymala, Kannada teacher at SVCE.

ACROSS THE FENCE

Students of KK English School visit nearby Gunjur and Varthur villages every year to spread awareness about using natural products in Ganesha idols. “The effort is worth it as villagers are very responsive,” says Khan.

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This post was submitted by Harshit Agrawal.