These Kalyan artisans give shape to eco-friendly festival

Ganesh idols in all sizes are lined up at Kalyan’s historic Kumbharwada.
Artisan Rakesh Ghoshtekar, 46, is happy with his efforts. The orders were huge and he started his work late. “This year, the idol-making work began late because of the transport strike,” said Ghoshtekar, busy giving finishing touch to the idols.
Like him, many others in the Kumbharwada are working on idols, which have filled every inch of the workshop. Some of the idols are ready to be wrapped and readied to be transported.
Even as the artisans at the city’s biggest workshop changed the material from shadu (natural clay) to Plaster of Paris, the Goshtekars stuck to the traditional mode of idol-making.

“I am making around 30 idols of clay this year. The demand for eco-friendly idols has increased,” said Ghoshtekar.
His entire family is into idol-making. They make idols throughout the year but Ganeshostsav is the busiest time. Kumbharwada, or the colony of potters, in Kalyan is more than 100 years old.
The place was known for its clay idols and artisans would make idols only of clay. Most of them, over the years, replaced clay with Plaster of Paris. Only a handful of them still make idols of clay, which is eco-friendly.
“The number of artisans too is reducing,” said Durgesh Goshtekar,32, a artisan.
Another artisan, who makes the largest number of eco-friendly idols in Kalyan, is Naresh Kumbhar, 53.
He has already made 400 idols between 1 inch and 4 feet high.
“Every year, I manage to make a huge number of idols of shadu for my regular customers. This year, the demand has soared,” said Kumbhar, whose idols are already sold out.
“I have been making eco-friendly idols for 38 years. I also choose eco-friendly colours,” said Kumbhar.
The Kumbhars in Kalyan have been demanding a better place to do business but the civic body said it cannot meet the demands.
“Their business is a private one and so it is not the civic body’s responsibility to provide them space,” said a KDMC official.
In the last two years, woman artisans too have mastered the art of idol-making.
Anjali Khunare, 25, who used to make POP idols, now makes shadu idols. She is now an expert at designing the idols. “I always loved pottery and I used to make idols of POP. Two years ago, I learnt about eco-friendly idols made at Kumbharwada. I decided to join them,” Khunare.
-
Wind speed may pass 90 kmph in Delhi-NCR amid rain: IMD warning for these areas
The India Meteorological Department issued a warning for several parts of Delhi-NCR as heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed the national capital on Monday morning. Extreme wind gusts going up to a ravaging speed of 90 Kmph is also expected. Predicted impact of storm The weather department officials have predicted damage to vulnerable structures and kutcha houses/walls and huts. “Damage to plantations, horticulture and standing crops,” is also expected today. Immediately get out of water bodies.
-
Delhi-NCR hit by thunderstorms, power cuts in some parts; air traffic affected
Delhi was lashed by early morning rain and strong winds on Monday, which led to power cuts in some parts. Air traffic is likely to get affected with airlines tweeting that bad weather may affect services. The early morning rain has brought down temperatures further after a spell of brutal heatwave in the national capital and nearby cities last week. The rain and storm is likely to affect the morning rush hour traffic too.
-
Haryana CIA gets three-day custody of ‘Khalistani’ terrorist
A suspected Khalistani terrorist, Parminder Singh, has been taken on remand by the crime investigation agency for interrogation in the recovery of two SUVs with fake registration certificates. Parminder is among four 'Khalistani' terrorists arrested by Haryana Police in Karnal on May 5 with explosives and arms. Investigators claimed that Parminder had allegedly bought two SUVs bearing fake registration numbers from Nitin of Ambala and Sandeep of Kharar in Punjab, who have already been arrested.
-
Haryana: Ex-cooperative devp federation chairperson, son booked for fraud
Yamunanagar police have booked former Haryana State Cooperative Development Federation (HARCOFED) chairperson Rameshwar Chauhan and Chauhan's son Varun Chauhan for allegedly duping former civil surgeon Dr Vijay Dahiya of about ₹50 lakh. Chauhan has, meanwhile, refuted the allegations and accused Dr Dahiya and his son Paritosh Dahiya of not adhering to the conditions in a petrol pump partnership deal.
-
Scope of corruption in Haryana has become negligible: Khattar
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday said various digital-driven initiatives started in the past over seven years have made the scope of corruption in the state negligible. Khattar said the BJP worked in the direction of its election manifesto to give transparent, clean administration and corruption-free governance. The chief minister said Haryana has set an example for other states in agriculture and industry as well as in sports and education.