* Asks Goans to stop worshipping PoP idols to prevent pollution of water bodies
* Says government financial support need to preserve traditional idol-making art.
Goemkarponn desk
Ponda— As the Ganesh festival draws near, the clay idol makers in Ponda Taluka, who had started preparing Ganesh idols from June, are working day and night to finish moulding and painting Ganesh idols before the Festival, which will be celebrated on 10 September.
The entire Family of Ganesh idol maker at Nageshim Bandora Umanath Naik, his son Kedar Naik, and his younger brothers and sister who contribute to making idols said they get mental satisfaction from making Ganesh idols.
“We enjoy three months of making idols. We never look at profit nor are bothered by it as we get a lot of happiness from our dedicated work in Ganesh idol making,” said Naik.
Kedar Naik said more awareness is needed among people during the Festival to protect water bodies from pollution.
He urged the people residing in the City to worship the clay Ganesh idol and avoid idols made of plaster of Paris for worshipping to prevent the pollution of water bodies.
Kedar said while celebrating, people should not harm our nature.
He said most city locals prefer plaster of Paris as they prefer lightweight and small idols made of plaster of Paris.
However, they should change to clay idol because when we immerse the clay idols, it dissolves in water within a short period while idols from PoP takes month-long time, and also chemicals used in it causes pollution of water bodies.
His younger sister Shibra said that compared to clay idol with PoP idol, he gets good finishing and looks good. Still, finally, devotees should bear in mind that clay idol is environmentally friendly and PoP causes pollution.
Kedar also stressed the Government’s financial support to preserve and pass the art to the future generation. To stop the imported bulk quantity idols from neighbouring states, the Government needs to support clay idol makers with more financial support, which would also help preserve art.
He said Government provides them with some subsidy, but it is applicable only if it gets them on time at least two months before the Festival to buy material required for idol making.
The family members at Nageshim Bandora, including the father, are seen busy preparing Ganesh idols.
“We began preparing idols from June and prepares around 150 idols. The villagers carry idols on Festival day. It cost around Rs 1000, 1500 to Rs 2000 per idol depending upon size,” they said.
Kedar Naik said there is a tradition in their house prevailing from forefathers. He learns the art of making idols from his father Umanath since childhood, and his brothers and sister also helping in preparing idols. Kedar said his family eagerly wait for Ganesh Festival every year.