Thirteen-year-old Vignesh Kawle is oblivious of the world around him as he single-mindedly kneads a mass of clay with his fingers trying to create the perfect elephant head. A few minutes later,finally satisfied with his outcome,he looks up with pride and communicates in sign language. At first,I thought it was impossible for me to make an entire Ganesh idol without help. Now that Im finished,it looks so easy and fun. This year,I will make a clay idol at home too, his teacher elucidates. Vignesh,a hearing impaired child from Koshish Special School,Malad,on Monday brushed shoulders with 300-odd students from other special and regular schools at an event organised by Young Environmentalists Programme. The children learnt creating Ganesh idols with bio-degradable items like clay,organic colours (made of turmeric and flower petals) with pista shells and pulses for decoration. More than 18 schools from across the city participated in this eco-Ganesh making workshop as part of their EVS projects. Several Ganesh mandals and local murti makers also volunteered in the workshop,showing off their 2-feet shadoo Ganeshas to chief guest Mayor Subha Raul. Unlike states like Goa,we have been unable to ban plaster of paris idols here. These non-degradable idols cause colossal harm to our coastal environment. It is only through such workshops that we can change the mindset. I am overwhelmed to see how the shadoo idol fad is catching up with children and mandals alike. This may be the first step towards inculcating an eco-friendly Ganesh festival, said Raul. The three-hour workshop at Rodas Ecotel Powai,was packed with enthusiastic students from BMC,private and international schools who put their minds together for a clean environment. Among participating schools were RIMs International,Billabong High Thane,Childrens Academy Malad and Kandivli,Hiranandani Foundation School,Powai,Pawar Public School,SM Shetty International School,Powai,Beacon High Khar,Paspoli BMC School,the special school of Koshish Malad and the S-ward special MV Shinde School at Bhandup for mentally challenged. The clay for the workshop was brought from the banks of the Powai lake, which can later be immersed in the lake itself,explained Elsie Gabriel heading the Young environmentalist action group. Apart from the eco message,clay moulding is therapeutic for children. Playing with clay can be very de-stressing and healing to special students too. The enthusiasm and exhilaration was evident in so many differently-abled students who participated along with their wards, she says. Rajmani Rao,mother of Yogesh Rao (14),a hearing impaired student agrees,I see my son mixing with other children ¿ from his own school and other regular schools. It boosts his confidence. It also gives him a chance to learn something new in an area he enjoys. Yogesh has been very creative since childhood. A similar confidence was palpable on the face of Abhishek Parab,a 15-year-old mentally challenged student of M V Shinde School,as he creates a simple 7-inch idol. While Parab cant speak clearly,his teacher Yogini Deokathe says,He is so artistic. You keep a piece of art before him and ask him to replicate it; he will accomplish it to perfection. And when he is done,you can see his face beam with joy. Awards for best ganesh idols * First prize: Dalton Netto of Prime Academy School,Andheri* Second prize: Mansi Jain of Pawar Public School,Bhandup * Third prize: Nitesh Patel of Childrens Academy,Kandivli* Fourth award: Paspoli BMC School Powai Special prizes were given to Koshish special school and M V Shinde,BMC School for the mentally challenged,Bhandup.
