A Ganesh idol in Mumbai. Modi urged those celebrating the festival to avoid using idols made out of PoP. A Ganesh idol in Mumbai. Modi urged those celebrating the festival to avoid using idols made out of PoP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged those celebrating Ganesh and Durga Puja in the coming months to think about the environment and ensure they celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner.

Prime Minister Modi was speaking during his Mann Ki Baat programme – a monthly radio address where he raises issues of national importance.

“Why should we not go back to our tradition of using clay for making idols? Eco-friendly Ganesh Festival is another form of social service,” Modi said, advising people not to use idols made out of plaster of paris as they are harmful to the environment.

“A lot of people are writing about Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja regarding the environment damage… they are concerned about the pollution that such idols cause,” the Prime Minister said.



During his address, PM Modi also spoke about his Swachch Bharat initiative, the need for building more toilets across the country. He also congratulated India’s Olympic medalists saying that much more needs to be done for sports in the country.

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