FLO Pune, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Poonam Kochhar, organised an eco-friendly Ganpati-making workshop under the Visual Arts Vertical and Green Tech & Circular Economy (Sustainability Vertical) at The Poona Club Ltd., Pune, on September 11, 2026. The workshop promoted sustainable festive celebrations and encouraged members to create idols using natural and environmentally friendly materials.
The initiative aimed to preserve traditional Indian art and culture while creating awareness about responsible idol immersion, recycling, and resource conservation. The workshop also focused on PUNARAVARTAN 2026, an initiative promoting the recycling and reuse of Shadu Mati (natural clay) Ganpati idols. Through this initiative, members were encouraged to adopt environmentally responsible practices, support artisans, and contribute to a circular economy.
The workshop featured Nilima Mago and Shama Dev from Punaravartan Organisation, along with Janhavi Bedarkar, Sharvari Dabhade and Sarthak Taak from Journey Art Studio. The facilitators guided participants through the process of creating eco-friendly Ganpati idols and shared practical insights into traditional artistic techniques, sustainable materials, and responsible festive practices.
The workshop was organised by Puja Shah, Head – Events Vertical, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from 40 FLO members. The session provided participants with an opportunity to explore traditional art through a hands-on experience while promoting environmentally responsible festive celebrations.
Members were guided through the process of creating their own Ganpati idols using eco-friendly materials. The interactive workshop encouraged creativity, mindfulness and appreciation for traditional Indian art forms. Participants actively engaged in the activity and enjoyed crafting their idols, which they could take home.
A special awareness segment was conducted on PUNARAVARTAN 2026, a movement dedicated to recycling natural clay (Shadu Mati) Ganpati idols. Members were encouraged to immerse their idols at home, dry the clay and donate it for recycling. This process enables artisans to reuse the clay, supports sustainable craftsmanship and helps reduce environmental impact.
The session also highlighted the importance of responsible idol immersion, the environmental concerns associated with excessive clay mining and the impact of idol disposal on water bodies. Members were encouraged to adopt sustainable practices and promote eco-friendly celebrations within their families and communities.
The initiative received support from Sharmila Bhingarwala, Senior Vice Chairperson and Visual Arts Vertical, along with Kalpana and Pritu from Green Tech and Circular Economy (Sustainability). FICCI FLO Pune expressed its appreciation to the organisers, facilitators and participants for their contribution to the successful workshop.
Key Takeaways
- Promoted eco-friendly and sustainable Ganesh Festival celebrations.
- Encouraged the use of natural clay (Shadu Mati) idols over non-biodegradable alternatives.
- Highlighted environmental concerns related to excessive clay mining and idol immersion in water bodies.
- Created awareness about the PUNARAVARTAN 2026 clay recycling initiative.
- Encouraged home immersion and responsible disposal practices.
- Promoted the reuse and recycling of clay resources to support artisans.
- Fostered creativity, mindfulness and appreciation for traditional Indian art forms.
- Strengthened awareness of environmental conservation and circular economy practices.
- Encouraged members to promote sustainable festive celebrations within their families and communities.
Collaborations
No formal collaborations were reported for the workshop.
Impact
The workshop engaged 40 FLO members in Pune, providing them with hands-on experience in eco-friendly Ganpati making and awareness of sustainable idol immersion and clay recycling practices. By combining art, culture, and sustainability, the workshop reinforced FLO Pune’s commitment to environmental conservation, community engagement, and circular economy practices. It encouraged members to become ambassadors of responsible festive celebrations and inspire wider adoption of eco-friendly traditions.