A woman’s touch to shape green idols

NAVI MUMBAI: As the demand for eco-friendly Ganesha idols continues to rise, a city-based welfare association, ‘Era for Women’ has gone ahead to teach 2,000 citizens how to make green Ganesha idols free of cost. The ‘Greenesha’ initiative by the association, ‘ERA for women’, conducted eco-Ganpati workshops across Navi Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. The group also trained 70 economically backward women in Raigad villages to make them self-sufficient.
The workshops, held from August 15 to September 13, was the brainchild of a sculptor-potter, Rupali Madan from Panvel. “PoP idols are a threat to the environment. This is our first effort as a social organization to create awareness, while celebrating the festival,” said Madan.
Only a nominal amount for the cost of clay was collected from the participants. Madan was assisted by potter-artists Shrikant Pardeshi, Nikhil Sunka and Nutan Patil.
Women from Sukhapur village also benefitted from her effort. “I wanted to train backward women to empower them. After having taught 70 women, I feel satisfied,” said Madan. The effort has borne fruit and these women have already received orders, worth Rs 1 lakh, for the next season, informed Madan.