With the auspicious Durgotsava – the biggest annual Hindu festival – just around the corner, idol-makers are busy giving finishing touches to the idols for the D-day which will start from October 4th, 2019.
With the Assam government appealing the Durga Puja committees to keep the environment away from the hazardous items and focus on eco-friendly ways to celebrate the festival, an artist in Dhubri district of Assam is busy making an idol out of waste electric wires.
Sanjib Basak, a field officer employed with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, has come up with the idea of making the idol of goddess Durga with the waste electrical wires after observing that these wires created a menace during the floods this year.
Sanjib said, “When Dhubri was hit by flood this year, I saw a number of electrical wires lying over which made me think in what way they can they reused. I asked around and got to know that the damaged electrical wires end up in water bodies and dustbins which are harming our ecosystem. I thought why not use them in making a Durga idol this year.”
“I started working on the project and almost 70 per cent of work is completed. The process is a bit tenuous but I know the result will be beautiful and I am just waiting for the day when the whole set (Goddess Durga and Her children) will be completed,” Sanjib added.
Speaking about the process of making the idols, he informed that he first collected the waste electrical wires from roads, dustbins, waste collectors and accumulated more than 140 kg to give shape to his idea.
“Firstly, the wires need to be straightened and then it needs to be segregated as to which colour of wire will look good at which place. For example, I have used golden colour wires for the face of Durga. It is a bright colour and will attract people to Her face,” he shared.
He further said, “I was inspired by the Clean Dhubri, Healthy Dhubri campaign. The campaign is based on solid waste management which is the need of the hour. Since the last 60 days, I have been making the idols and it completely goes with the theme of celebrating a plastic-free puja.”
The idols made by Sanjib will be displayed at the Rashmi Sangha Durga Puja Committee in Dhubri which is celebrating golden jubilee this year.
So festival revellers if you happen to be at Dhubri during this auspicious occasion, do pay a visit to the Rashmi Sanga Durga Puja to have a look at this amazing piece of art by Sanjib.
Photo credit: Sanjib Basak
