Pune: The Handmade Papers Institute has offered a unique eco-friendly solution to devotees of Ganpati Bappa this year. The institute has prepared Ganesh idols from a mixture of the sticky shadu mati (clay) and paper pulp which are durable and environment friendly.
The Handmade Papers Institute has been operating in the city for the last 80 years. It was closed down for a year but recently has reopened. The institute has made a comeback with a combination of preserving tradition with an innovative approach. The environment-friendly Ganesh idols are an example of this new strategy of the institute which has combined principles of handcrafting, sustainability and reusability to create unique eco-friendly products.
The institute is offering a variety of Ganesh idols including the replicas of popular Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, Mysoree, Peshwai, Padmasan and Chaurang-mounted idols. These colourful idols are available in various sizes at the Institutes office near Agricultural ground in Shivajinagar. The institute has said that all these idols are made purely from the paper pulp, and shadu mati and hence are easy to dissolve on the visarjan (immersion) day.
The institute has followed all norms set by the government regarding the hygienic practices to be followed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the city. These norms are being followed during the making of the idols as well as during the sale.
The institute has offered video call services to customers who can see the various options available and then choose an idol of their choice. After the customer selects the idol, it will be home delivered by the institute. The option of visiting the institute office for choosing the Ganesh idols is also open.
Other decorative items, including the ‘makhar’ are also available at the store. These ‘makhar’s are foldable, durable and reusable, the institute has informed. For more information, citizens can visit the institute’s page @punehandmadepapers.
