Cow-dung and lac idols steal the show

Prayagraj: As the denizens are taking steps towards minimizing pollution this Diwali, a group of rural women from Prayagraj and adjoining rural areas are doing their bit of efforts to protect the environment.
In a unique initiative, a group of rural women are making eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesh, Goddess Lakshmi and other gods this Diwali using cow dung—considered pious in Hindu religion—along with cleansed cow urine (believed to have many medicinal properties) and naturally produced lac.
These eco-friendly products made by women self-help groups under the guidance of the city-based Bioved Research Institute of Agriculture and Technology, are not only being sold like hot cakes in the local markets but have also been supplied to the markets of New Delhi and Kolkata. Many of the wholesalers of these cities have exported the same to South-Asian countries and US.
“The demand for these idols is so high that we are unable to meet the orders of the customers. People, after finding that these idols are made of cow dung and lac, order for it immediately,” said one of the idol makers Manju Pandey of village Sirawa of Holagarh block.
Director Bioved institute, B K Dwivedi said that although covid pandemic had hit our work and we could not meet the demand of 4 lakh diya of US, but the women are happy for being back on work.