Cow dung ‘diyas’ hit Prayagraj market
Diyas made by potters from Shankargarh are strong but can dissolve easily in river water after ‘deepdan’
In an innovative experiment, veterinary department of Prayagraj Nagar Nigam (PNN) is manufacturing ‘diyas’ or lamps made from cow dung, from the cow shelters, and has put them on sale in the run-up to this Diwali. These diyas are ecofriendly and have also given employment to poor artisans.
In the pilot project, these ecofriendly cow dung ‘diyas’ are being produced at Kanha Gaushala.
The veterinary officer at Nagar Nigam Manoj Yadav said artisans are being engaged for manufacturing of cow dung ‘diyas’ which is giving employment to many of them. The ‘ Diya’ made of cow dung is becoming popular since the inauguration of its stall in Civil Lines on Friday.
The ‘diyas’ are being manufactured by the potters from the Shankargarh area. These are strong but they will easily dissolve in river water after ‘deepdan’. The common earthen ‘diya’ does not dissolve and settles on riverbed causing injuries to devotees who come to take bath. These will be available all the year round and facility of their home delivery will be provided. The cost of single diya is only Rs2 and Nagar Nigam has targeted to sell 1 lakh ‘Diya’ annually. In future, the manufacturing and sale of ‘diya’ made of cow dung will be given an organised shape and more people will be engaged in its production and sale. Since Thursday over 6000 ‘Diyas’ have been sold and more will be produced if its demand increases in Diwali. It is worth mentioning that municipal commissioner Ravi Ranjan inaugurated the stall of ‘diyas’ on Thursday. On Friday IG Range KP Singh, retd ADM Ashok Kumar, BHU VC Girdhar Malviya, tax officer PK Mishra, CHC fifth Vipin Bihari Pandey and many other High Court judges visited and appreciated the initiative.