Here's how this initiative in Lucknow is tackling environmental impact, post-Diwali festivities!

After the glitz and glam of festivities settle, the aftermath usually isn't really pretty. People generally dump the idols and the remaining garbage in the rivers, near temples, under trees or at various spots and they don't look back. The idols especially, are stripped of the respect which they are showered with during the celebrations and can be found here and there, waiting to slip into oblivion soon. Although the festivities stay for a week maximum, the impact of it stays for years to come and if it keeps on this course, soon we'll not have the requisite environment to survive in a healthy manner. So keeping this in view, a team in Lucknow has been taking the necessary steps to reduce the consequences of our remiss celebrations.

Towards a greener tomorrow

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This Lucknow-based team has started a week-long campaign from the next day of Diwali, to pick the old idols found on different bridges or under the trees in the areas of Hazratganj, Keshav Nagar, Triveni Nagar, Chowk and Nishatganj. The team involves a city-based NGO, Swapna Foundation, and a 20-yo student from Lucknow, Achyut Tripathi.

Achyut Tripathi's initiative of respecting the idols and cleaning the city of Lucknow, inspired his teammates of 'Our Swapna' to join him in this journey. Tripathi decided to create a collection bank of old idols where people living in different areas of Lucknow, are encouraged to give up their old idols to him, instead of disposing them carelessly. Through various creative posters, the word has been promulgated across the city and Achyut, along with his team, are being lauded for these efforts by many Lucknowites. Further, the collected idols will be unloaded on land with a sapling planted on it.

Also, Achyut is requesting citizens to respectfully dispose the idols themselves by digging a pit or submerging them in a tub of water, so that it allows the clay to dissolve. People can then use this water for gardening purposes; otherwise they can deposit it at the Murti Bank by Swapna Foundation, by Sunday itself.

Knock Knock

We truly appreciate such thoughtful efforts and the message of this venture, definitely deserves everyone's undivided attention. After the festivities conclude, we don't really give much thought to our environment or of the wastage generated by us, which in turn, contributes to a bigger problem. As the pollution levels around us is facing an upward curve, the need of the hour is to become more aware of our living environment and to reduce our carbon footprints. Achyut and team, are really setting an example which should be followed by all.

Story contributed by Achyut Tripathi