Celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi
Festivals in India are generally celebrated with all the frills, and the same is true for Ganesh Chaturthi. Right from handpicking flowers and decking up puja rooms and pandals, to making modaks filled with coconut and jaggery, people tend to immerse themselves in a host of activities.
However, often, during the course of the celebration, we don’t realise the extent of harm we might be causing to the environment.
Many of the Ganesha idols that are sold in the market are made of plastic, thermocol, POP, and other non-biodegradable materials, which when immersed in water bodies have a detrimental effect on both the plant and animal life.
Even the rangoli colours available in the market which are used for decorative purposes, are made up of hazardous substances like mica, acids, and glass powders. Since these colours cannot be decomposed biologically, they tend to degrade the surrounding spaces.
It might not sound very significant, but even the plastic used to pack or give away the prasad, adds to the existing pollution in the environment.
For decoration, use only fresh flowers, diyas and electric bulbs. Avoid the usage of shiny ribbons, thermocol, plastic beads, etc, as they all end up as reject waste. For the puja, use only fresh flowers, fruits, coconut, mango leaves, tulsi, grass, betel nut leaves.
Avoid purchasing betel nut, haldi-kumkum or other puja items in packets, as they typically cannot be recycled. Instead, buy the whole beetel nut or buy haldi-kumkum in a box. Also do use a reusable bag when shopping.
Immersion of Ganesha idols in lakes, tanks, rivers, and other water bodies is not good for the environment and marine life. Many-a-times, the idol does not dissolve entirely and leaves several pollutants behind. Hence, symbolic immersion at the comfort of your home is a better option. Any huge bucket or a pit can be used for this.
Hence, this time around, let’s look at some ways in which we can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with all the pomp and ceremony, but without harming the planet.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Precautions for Ganesh
The festive season has just begun and with it all the pomp and gaiety. It is also the time for family bonding. Relatives, neighbours and friends make it a point to visit the homes of their loved ones.
But this year in view of the prevailing situation due to the Covid pandemic, it would be prudent if individuals take all necessary precautions to ensure safety of their lives and of their loved ones.
As the festivities will be curtailed, the period during immersion of the deity will be crucial in terms of the spread of the disease. Extra care needs to be taken to avoid use of firecrackers as it could cause pollution and can affect those having lung and other respiratory diseases.
Wishing our Hindu brethren a safe, healthy and happy Ganesh.
Aloysius D’Souza, Mapusa
Goa loses a true great son
In the death of our dear Annand V. Madgavkar Goa has lost a true great Goan who was always so concerned about the State. He was totally committed to the welfare of Goa. An outstanding sportsman and a very successful businessman he was. Over the years he was closely and dedicatedly associated with numerous public agitations on various issues concerning Goa.
A so cheerful and fun loving soul Annand always was. Annand bab who was always vocal on the environmental damage being inflicted on Goa has been spared the further painful and agonizing ordeal of seeing Goa’s remains being officially laid to rest.
May the departed soul of our so dear friend Annand bab rest in eternal peace and may the Almighty grant his family and friends the strength to brave this great loss.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Sensitive defamation
The issue of defamation has haunted the citizens of the country for long with different courts taking ambiguous stands at different points in time. The word “defamation” is in itself broad, and has varied implications. Law has provided clauses for protecting an individual’s life, property and, therefore,reputation. The precipitous surge in the number of defamation cases is food for thought. Both civil defamation and criminal defamation are defined in law with the Law of Torts governing the former. Robust and critical reflections are passed off as slander or libel. Freedom of speech as well as freedom of reputation are paramount to an individual. By the same vein, the “intent” with which a person’s comments are aimed at another is very vital to be discarded.
‘Fair comment in public interest’, the touchstone for a plaintiff to demonstrate his case of defamation, is quite intricate. How can defendants irrefutably prove the ‘ absolute truth’ behind their spoken, or published words, that has supposedly caused grievous injury to the plaintiffs’ minds?
In today’s society, allegations and counter–allegations are order of the day especially in our political discourse. While every citizen has to be extra–cautious while casting insinuations on the other, too much restraint may take the sting out of the accusations.
Even as right to free speech has its limitations, its very important to differentiate between criticism and defamation. The articles of Constitution pertaining to right to free speech(19 (1)(a), and right to reputation as a part of right to life(21) need a re–visit. So are the sections 499 and 500 of the IPC which permits individuals to file criminal defamation against another at the drop of a hat and provides for punishment or fine or both.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
