This teenager makes Ganesh idols with old newspaper as an eco-friendly alternative

As an eco-friendly alternative, G Hareesh, a 15 yeard old boy from Poonkunnam in Thrissur in Kerala used old newspapers to make idols and statues of Lord Ganesh. Hareesh has also crafted models of Thrissur Pooram, elephants, Vadakkumnatha Temple South entrance using newspaper.

Thrissur: This teenage boy from Thrissur in Kerala gives out the message of saving the environment by making eco-friendly Vinayaka idols during Ganesh festival.

G Hareesh, a 15 yeard old boy from Poonkunnam in Thrissur, does not use plastic or plaster of Paris for his works. He moulds old newspaper to make idols and statues of Lord Vinayaka.

Hareesh sets an example by making Vinayaka idols with old newspaper during the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival last week, which was just a low key custom sans festive fervour and crowds, owing to the COVID regulations in place.

Usually, in most places all over the country, after ‘Ganesh festival’, poojas are made to the Ganesha idols which are then immersed in the water bodies. This had been leading to a severe environmental hazard and water pollution with the large scale immersion of idols made of unnatural materials and colours containing chemicals.

Besides, the markets are flooded with the Plaster of Paris idols. Hareesh, a plus one student, realised that plaster of Paris is very harmful to the environment and this inspired him to make idols with old newspaper. Hareesh has been into making Vinayaka idols with newspaper for the past three years.

Hareesh has also crafted models of Thrissur Pooram, elephants, Vadakkumnatha Temple South entrance using newspaper. Hareesh had got many orders for eco-friendly Ganesha idols even from outside Kerala. He sells the Ganesha idols without taking any profit, more than the cost needed for the making process.

Hareesh, the son of Mridangam artist H Ganesh and Jothi Ganesh, is learning music and art.