Used paint tins, bottles and tin covers — students from classes III to XII of the Garia branch of Techno India Group Public School collected loads of ‘waste’ just before the Durga Puja. All that was put together to build a 14ft idol that now stands tall on the Techno India University campus in Salt Lake, Sector 5.
Schools, college and university students of Techno India group were part of a unique project this festive season. A team of around 30 selected students and volunteers, along with the art teachers of the Garia and Ariadaha school branches, joined hands together to build a Durga of recycled materials. The idol is showcased on the Sector 5 campus even after the festive season.
“I had no idea I will be part of something so wonderful. I was taught in a three-day workshop some nuances of idol-making, paper-pulp decoration and pot-painting. We ideated as much as the teachers as the idol took shape,” said Class XI student Aditi Mondol of the Garia branch.
The process began early September when teachers of the Garia and Ariadaha schools drew up a drawing board plan. “The brief was to make a Durga of waste materials to spread the message of conservation. We were told to involve the students. So, we began by visiting Kumartuli with some students to study the idol-making process,” said Saikat Chakraborty, art teacher of the Garia branch. The students would come to the Salt Lake campus, whenever their schedules permitted, to join hands with teachers and seniors in building the Durga.
For Class VIII student Pramit Sahoo of the Ariadaha branch: “Initially, I had no idea how an idol can be made of bottles and cans. How will all the waste be held together. But slowly, I realised how nuts and bolts did the trick. But the best experience was working with my friends and other students.”
The students put in three to four hours to meet the September 24 deadline. “It made my Pujas special,” gushed Rahel Ghosh of Class XI, Garia branch.
It was inaugurated on Mahalaya (September 25). “We have been teaching students waste management for three years now. This time, we decided to build something innovative. The project involved students of all age groups,” said Manoshi Roychowdhury, co-chairman of Techno India group.
“We organised a 14-day collection drive to gather a whole lot of pet cans, bottles and wires. Best out of Waste is a popular activity in our school too. Some of my students travelled to Salt Lake to build the idol,” said Tania Sen, principal of the Garia branch.