PUNE: This Ganesh Chaturthi, With Love NGO, Pune, reimagined the way we celebrate Ganpati Bappa – bringing sustainability, creativity, and compassion under one roof.
To promote mindful festivities, the NGO organized an eco-friendly idol-making workshop where families sculpted Ganpati Bappa idols from shaadu mati, a natural clay that dissolves easily in water, leaving behind no harm to the environment. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and the joy of creating, as parents and children shaped their idols with their own hands.
“This was more than just an art activity,” shared Dimple Somji, Founder of With Love NGO. “It was about helping the younger generation understand that true devotion honors not just the deity, but also Mother Earth. Watching families connect through this was deeply moving.”
The workshop welcomed patients from Prakash Holistic Health Care Center, for whom the experience became a therapeutic way of engaging with both culture and nature. “It was a healing activity,” remarked Dr. Nidhi, “allowing participants to celebrate while embracing sustainability.”
But the celebration did not stop at clay and colors. For every idol created, one Joybag—a bundle filled with essential food grains- was gifted to families from marginalized communities. These Joybags reached children and parents from schools and neighborhoods struggling to make ends meet, ensuring that their festive season, too, was filled with dignity and cheer.
A school owner, whose students received the Joybags, expressed, “For many of these children, Ganesh Chaturthi would have passed without celebration. Now, thanks to this thoughtful initiative, their homes are filled with joy.”
“This initiative represents the true spirit of festivity,” Dimple added. “When we teach children that their joy is tied to the joy of others, we create a ripple of kindness that lasts far beyond the festival.”
With Love NGO continues to offer customized workshops, combining creativity with compassion. To collaborate or support, connect with them on Instagram @withlovengo and be part of this journey where tradition, sustainability, and philanthropy come together.