Mumbai: A Ganpati idol made by a Class 2 student has received a special place this Ganesh Chaturthi, after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde installed the handmade Shadu clay idol at her residence on Monday.
The idol was crafted by Ritik Paswan, a Class 2 student of Prabhadevi Municipal School, which is run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Ritik had presented the idol to the Mayor last week, following which Tawde decided to install it at her residence for the festival.
The Mayor also invited Ritik and his mother to attend the Ganesh puja at her residence, turning the occasion into a memorable moment for the young student.
The gesture has brought attention to both the talent of students from civic run schools and the growing emphasis on celebrating Ganeshotsav in an environmentally responsible manner.
Young student’s handmade Ganpati wins appreciation
Ritik’s idol is different from the elaborate Ganpati idols usually associated with Mumbai’s grand celebrations. Made by the young student himself, the Shadu clay idol reflects the creativity and effort of a child who wanted to make something special for Bappa.
After receiving the idol, the Mayor decided to keep it at her residence during Ganeshotsav. Ritik and his mother were subsequently invited for the puja.
The Mayor also extended her Ganesh Chaturthi wishes to Mumbaikars and prayed for happiness, prosperity and good health for the city.
The choice of a Shadu clay idol also carries an environmental message, as such idols are considered a more eco friendly alternative to idols made from materials that can cause greater pollution during immersion.
Mayor highlights eco friendly Ganeshotsav
The celebrations at the Mayor’s residence have been planned with an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. Decorations have also been kept eco friendly, reinforcing the message of celebrating the festival without putting additional pressure on the environment.
The move comes as Mumbai continues to encourage devotees and idol makers to adopt greener practices during Ganeshotsav.
The BMC has been promoting the use of Shadu clay and eco friendly colours for Ganesh idols as part of its preparations for the festival.
BMC makes extensive immersion arrangements
With thousands of Ganpati idols being immersed across Mumbai during the festival, the civic administration has made arrangements at natural and artificial immersion sites.
Mayor Ritu Tawde inspected several immersion locations ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, including chowpattys, natural water bodies and artificial immersion ponds, to take stock of the preparations.
The BMC has made arrangements for 383 artificial immersion ponds for household Ganesh idols measuring up to six feet. These facilities are intended to provide devotees with alternatives to immersing smaller idols directly into natural water bodies.
Various safety and civic facilities have also been arranged at immersion locations. These include lifeguards, ambulances, boats, cranes, lighting and nirmalya collection facilities.
The arrangements are aimed at ensuring that the immersion process remains safe and organised while also helping reduce the environmental impact of the festival.
Shadu clay and eco friendly paint supplied to idol makers
As part of its green Ganeshotsav efforts, the BMC has also taken steps to make eco friendly materials more accessible to idol makers.
The civic body supplied 858 tonnes of Shadu clay and 25,400 litres of eco friendly paint free of cost to idol makers ahead of the festival.
The initiative is intended to encourage the production of idols that have a lower environmental impact and support more sustainable celebrations across Mumbai.
Mumbai celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated across Mumbai on September 14, with devotees welcoming Lord Ganesha into homes, housing societies and public pandals.
The city’s famous Ganeshotsav celebrations will continue over the coming days, with devotees performing aartis and prayers before the idols are taken for immersion on different days.
The major immersion day of Anant Chaturdashi falls on September 25 this year.
While Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav is often associated with grand pandals, huge idols and large crowds, the story of Ritik Paswan’s idol offers a quieter and more personal side to the festival.
A young student from a municipal school made an idol with his own hands, presented it to the city’s Mayor, and eventually saw it installed at the Mayor’s residence.
For Ritik, it is likely to remain a Ganesh Chaturthi to remember. For Mumbai, it is also a small but meaningful reminder that the spirit of Ganeshotsav can be celebrated with faith, encouragement for young talent and care for the environment.
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