Bhubaneswar: SAI International School students on Thursday met S K Priyadarshi, Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, to present their ‘Eco-Friendly Durga Puja’ initiative.
The innovative approach aims to harmonise the grandeur of Durga Puja festival with a deep commitment to environmental preservation.
The SAIoneers made a presentation for the Police Commissioner, connecting the attributes of Goddess Durga’s weapons to modern environmental and social concerns.
The Lotus, which symbolises spiritual consciousness, inspired a call for eco-friendly Visarjan practices, including water conservation, biodegradable materials, and the removal of adornments to protect aquatic life.
The Trishul & Spear, which represents auspiciousness and power, prompted the promotion of traffic management, awareness and emergency evacuation routes to reduce chaos during the celebrations.
The Sword, which signifies cosmic intelligence and wisdom, encouraged avoidance of noise pollution through eco-friendly fireworks and refraining from loudspeakers.
The Axe, which symbolises fearlessness, led to an appeal for environmental care through awareness about Bio toilets, proper garbage control and reduced carbon footprints.
The Shankh, symbolising the inaugural sound of creation, resulted in a call for sustainable lighting, with an emphasis on energy-efficient LED bulbs, diyas and solar power to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions.
The Gada, which symbolises loyalty, respect and compassion, urged a reduction in plastic usage during events, with an emphasis on avoiding plastic bottles, cups, and plates.
The Arrow, which represents kinetic energy, led to a push for safety measures for women and senior citizens, including police patrolling and priority lanes.
The Bow, symbolising potential energy, encouraged use of sustainable materials like clay, bamboo, and jute for eco-friendly idols and pandals that can be easily recycled without harming the environment.
The students concluded their presentation by pledging to celebrate Durga Puja with grandeur and environmental responsibility, extending warm eco-conscious Durga Puja greetings to the Commissioner and expressing a shared commitment to preserve the world’s beauty for future generations.
Commissioner Priyadarshi was impressed by the ideas of SAIoneers and said that he would love to implement these innovative ideas in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, to promote eco-conscious celebrations throughout the region.
