IE : After Ganesh, Durga idols, Diwali kandeels get eco-friendly : Nov 1,2007
After Ganesh, Durga idols, Diwali kandeels get eco-friendly
Exhibition of lanterns made of recycled paper, jute and matchsticks is on at Dadar till November 7
NITYA KAUSHIK
OCTOBER 31
P OST Ganeshotsav and Durga Puja, joining the ecofriendly bandwagon is this small-time lantern seller from Dadar.
Promoting a green Diwali with his concept of eco-kandeels (lanterns) made of biodegradable products, retailer Aamod Shetye displays over 100 models of Diwali lanterns made with recycled paper, jute, bamboo and even ice-cream sticks and match sticks at the Mahabank Kandeel Mahotsav, an exhibition of eco-friendly lanterns, held at Shetye Building in Dadar.
The exhibition will be on till November 7.
“I have completely given up manufacturing the usually fast-selling plastic, thermocol and foil paper lanterns after I learnt how these products don’t decompose naturally and clog the environment,” he said.
“Instead, I now sell kandeels of recycled sandwich paper, handmade paper and even cloth and other natural substances,” he added. His organisation-Omkar Group- has been following this practice since 2005.
“Ecological awareness in Mumbai was almost zilch till the 2005 floods. Then suddenly, things changed, everybody started thinking of ways to go green. Contrary to the popular belief, I always thought paper sculptures are more attractive than plastic and thermocol. So I decided to make my statement by introducing green lanterns,” Shetye said.
Women-mostly between the age group between 20 and 30-thronged the exhibition.
“Jute products like the fishshaped lanterns are reasonably priced and last long. They also look very festive,” said a customer. Shetye said all the jute and bamboo models were created and exported by poor karigaars in Satara and Kolhapur and cost just Rs 150.
“They are the fastest-moving kandeels this year,” he added.
The lanterns are priced as low as Rs 30 for simple star ones and go up to Rs 300 for a 3×2 feet one made of bamboo and puja vastra (cloth). His latest: a two-inch traditional lantern made with matchsticks and crisp paper and chris tened car-lantern.
“These mini-lanterns are the creations of a retired gentleman, who initially sent them to me as samples. But then I thought why not promote it as a car hanging,” Shetye said.
A visitor at the exhibition said, “It’s good that the monopoly of plastic lanterns in the market is coming to an end. People now are more aware of the harm they cause to the environment and I am sure this eco-friendly lantern concept is going to catch up.”
“Along with these lanterns, people should also ban fire crackers and bombs that contribute to noise and air pollution. That way, we can have a Diwali with a message this year,” he said.