VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to make the forthcoming Vinayaka Chavithi eco-friendly, NTR district collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha on Thursday announced that Vijayawada will host a clay idol making competition at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium on August 26, where participants can attempt to create a world record.The initiative, he said, is aimed at encouraging people to celebrate the festival in harmony with nature. “This programme will not only raise awareness about eco-friendly practices, but also showcase efforts towards creating record-breaking clay idols on an unprecedented scale,” Lakshmisha said addressing media at the collectorate. He cautioned against the use of synthetic paints, chemicals and thermocol, underlining that such materials pollute water bodies and pose a danger to marine life. “To ensure a clean and green environment for generations to come, we must adopt sustainable practices,” he suggested. The collector appealed to citizens to make clay idols at home and share photos via WhatsApp at 91549 70454. He encouraged them to be creative with their idols, using seeds, leaves and vegetables. “I urge everyone to participate wholeheartedly to make this a memorable and meaningful celebration,” he stated. Dr. Lakshmisha said various teams from schools, NGOs and local associations will gather at the IGMC to break the world record in Ganesh idol making, which could turn out to be the biggest community-driven endeavours in the region. He informed that the event is being jointly organised by the Pollution Control Board, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and the district administration. Later in the day, the collector, along with joint collector S. Ilakkiya, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra and DCP K.G.V. Saritha, chaired a coordination meeting with officials of various departments to review arrangements for the Ganesh festival. Dr. Lakshmisha instructed officials to ensure that festival committees strictly follow guidelines on eco-friendly celebrations, take the mandatory permissions and prioritise safety. He made it clear that the installation of idols should not hinder traffic flow and pandals must be erected without inconveniencing the public. Sound systems should not exceed the permissible volume. He wanted measures in place to prevent fire accidents, stampedes and untoward incidents.
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