Who’s to be blamed for PoP idols?
By Kartik Lokhande Insolent makers of idols, ignorant buyers, or lethargic Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), who should be blamed for the recurring menace of idols of deities made of Plaster of Paris (PoP)? Every year, NMC makes a sheepish appeal to devotees not to buy idols made of PoP. It also appeals vendors and makers not to sell or make PoP idols. However, PoP idols flood the markets ahead of Ganeshotsav and Navratri in a boldly disrespectful manner. Everyone -- makers, vendors, buyers, officials, NGOs, activists -- agrees that PoP idols should not be used as those pollute the water bodies in which they are immersed at the end of festivities. However, everyone has equally nonchalant attitude to the serious issue. As a result, the day next to immersion of idols, some groups are seen moving in a suspicious manner near the water bodies. They bring out ‘immersed’ idols of deities from water bodies, stock those on the embankments, engage children to ‘rob’ the idols ...