Andhra Minister urges clay Ganesh idols, smaller sizes amid water concerns

Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Andhra Pradesh Minister of Medical and Health Satya Kumar Yadav has appealed to the public to choose eco-friendly clay idols over those made of plaster of Paris or painted with chemical substances.

Speaking at a meeting of the Tirupati Vinayaka Festival Committee on Monday, the minister noted that the committee has successfully coordinated festival arrangements for the past 25 years, from setting up pandals at street corners to organising idol immersions.

Yadav pointed to declining water levels in tanks due to El Niño conditions and urged residents in street corners, gated communities, and apartments to install smaller-sized idols this year.

Drawing a connection between the deity and nature, the minister said Vinayaka is associated with sustainability, appearing in the form of turmeric paste that mixes with flowing water without leaving a trace. He remarked that synthetic alternatives have emerged in the name of making idols colourful and eye-catching, and called this the right time to return to past practices.

The meeting was attended by Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman Pasupuleti Hariprasad, A.P. Yadava Welfare Corporation chairman G. Narasimha Yadav, A.P. Medical Council chairman Dr. Daggumati Srihari Rao, BJP state spokespersons G. Bhanuprakash Reddy and Kola Anand, Tirupati district president Samanchi Srinivas, SVBC chairman B. Sridhar Varma, and former Deputy Mayor R.C. Munikrishna.