NOIDA: Some NGOs have come together to urge citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali this year and shun firecrackers. Severe pollution, they said, has affected many street children, some of whom pursue education in open classrooms conducted by voluntary organisations.After several parts of Delhi-NCR received light rainfall on Friday, the pollution level has dropped, but, Sanjay Gupta, founder of CHETNA(Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action), said the AQI might rise again.Due to the high pollution levels, we couldnt conduct classes for several days. Children were having breathing issues. We started this campaign to make people aware of the problem so that they refrain from bursting firecrackers, said Gupta.For the past week, the foundation has been campaigning for eco-friendly Diwali through rallies, village visits, and mask distribution.Similarly, NGOs have reached out to residents and corporate offices with eco-friendly products, including diya and lights. The city is already choking. We made handmade diyas and decoration items to show people that Diwali can also be celebrated in a beautiful way without firecrackers, said Nazma, a kid from CHETNA Foundation. Some NGOs have set up stalls across several corporate offices in Noida and are selling eco-friendly and recycled items. NGO SADRAG is offering recycled cotton bags to encourage sustainability for a green Diwali, while Challenger Group NGO is selling wall mountings of recycled plastic waste. We have set up stalls selling eco-friendly products to create awareness among people. The NGO workers also get to earn, said Mala Bhandari, founder of SADRAG, Noida.Challenger Group NGO in Noida has been conducting campaigns in villages with the slogan smoke-free Diwali. We reached out to nearly 800 people via this campaign through the children with us, Prince Sharma, founder of the NGO, said. We also published the following articles recentlyAn eco-friendly diwali exhibit by NGOs and Bengal artisans at a city venueKolkata Centre for Creativity organized an exhibit titled "Soil to Soul- Binding Bengal" to celebrate the artistic brilliance in Bengal. The event showcased Diwali utility handicrafts made by 25 artisans and 15 NGOs from all over Bengal. The initiative aimed to give recognition and respect to Bengal handicrafts such as Patachitra, shola, and pottery. The event also had sustainability partners and a drop box for electronic waste. Sudha Shivkumar and Astrid Wege were among the attendees.Demand soars for eco-friendly, India-made lanterns this DiwaliEco-friendly and Indian-made lanterns are becoming popular among Diwali shoppers in Pune this year. Shoppers are choosing lanterns made from fabric, paper, and cardboard instead of plastic, and are also avoiding Chinese products. Prices for these lanterns range from Rs 40 to Rs 800, depending on the material and design. Foldable lanterns are selling particularly well due to their affordability and convenience. Many shops have stopped selling Chinese lanterns, and online sales of handmade lanterns are also increasing. An Eco-Diwali Bazaar was held to promote eco-friendly Diwali accessories, including lanterns made from recycled waste.Diwali 2023: Eco-friendly rangoli design ideas made of flowersRangolis are an important part of Diwali celebrations, symbolizing prosperity and joy. They are like a colorful welcome mat for Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Diwali is a time for families to come together, share festive meals, exchange gifts, and strengthen bonds. Floral rangolis are popular choices, with options like marigold, lotus, and mandala designs. Tips for creating floral rangolis include using a flat surface and planning the design in advance.

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