Chiranjeevi unveils seed-embedded Ganesha idols for eco-friendly festivities

Telugu film star Chiranjeevi on Monday unveiled the 'Seed Ganesha' idols developed under the Green India Challenge, urging devotees to mark Ganesh Chaturthi in an environmentally responsible manner. The initiative combines worship with afforestation, allowing households to contribute to greening efforts even as they observe the festival.

The specially crafted clay idols contain seeds of native tree species. Once the puja concludes, devotees are encouraged to immerse the idols in water at home, where the clay dissolves naturally and the embedded seeds germinate into saplings. This approach eliminates the need for large-scale water body immersion while promoting plant growth.

Launching the campaign at his residence, Chiranjeevi was joined by Green India Challenge founder and former MP J. Santosh Kumar. The actor described the initiative as a 'yagna' and commended Santosh Kumar for inspiring the planting of nearly 20 crore saplings nationwide. "His dedication deserves admiration. I pledge my full support to this initiative," Chiranjeevi said.

Appealing to devotees, the actor remarked that through this practice, "God Himself becomes a plant and blesses you," enabling worshippers to honour Vinayaka while fulfilling their duty to plant trees simultaneously.

Santosh Kumar emphasised that tree planting has become a necessity rather than a choice. The Green India Challenge, launched in 2018, was inspired by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's Haritha Haram programme. Its guiding slogan urges participants to "plant three saplings, nurture them for three years and nominate three more people." According to the organisation, over 19.60 crore saplings have been planted across the country under the initiative so far.