The Dakshinpally Puja Samiti, which organised the Durga Puja at Pocket 52 in Chittaranjan Park, was awarded the first prize for being environmentally the cleanest among the plethora of pandals. The contest had been organised by area MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj to promote green consciousness at festival time. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal presented the prize to the committee on Friday.
Increasing awareness of ecological hazards has led puja organisers to use natural stuff, such as clay, cloth, paper, jute and bamboo, in the construction of the pandal and the adornments for the idol. The Dakshinpally Samiti has used biodegradeable materials at their pandal for five years now. "Our idol was made of clay and painted with organic paint," said KP Paul, committee president
Paul added that they also immersed the idol in a tank, rather than in the Yamuna. "We want to show the way to the others. An immersion procession looks grand, look at the traffic chaos it creates. Also, immersing an idol in the river means adding to its pollution," said Paul.
If we take such initiatives it would go a long way in helping save the environment and making a safer place to live in.
Read more of this in a report by Somreet Bhattacharya published in TImes of India...
