Bhilar school pupils make eco-friendly Diwali lanterns to spread environment message

With the idea that Diwali in Wai should be celebrated with care for the environment, a special initiative was held at Hillrange Secondary School in Bhilar. Children at the school were asked to make eco-friendly akash kandil, or festival lanterns. The aim was not only to make the festival eco-friendly, but also to awaken creativity, artistry and an understanding of protecting the environment among the students.

The initiative was organised under the guidance of Hillrange Education Society president Nitin Bhilare, secretary Jatin Bhilare, director Dr Tejaswini Bhilare and school headmaster Mukund Shinde.

The children used waste items and eco-friendly material to prepare a series of attractive lanterns. Science teacher Raju More and art teacher Shantaram Jadhav guided the students in the work. The school's effort was to build creativity, artistry and awareness of environmental conservation among the children through the activity.

Different kinds of eco-friendly material were used, and the children made lanterns in new styles. The lanterns showed a pleasing blend of three things: reuse of discarded items, sensible use of resources available nearby, and an artistic eye.

The students gave free rein to their imagination in making the lanterns, and through them a message of protecting the environment was given. The message was clear: while celebrating festivals, care must be taken that no harm comes to nature.

Nandkumar Shinde, Sangeeta Kharat, Sujata Parthe, Kalpesh Gaikwad, Vinayak Bagade, Yogita Ranjane and Santosh Malusare were present on the occasion.

The initiative gave a platform to the children's talent and instilled in them the lesson of environmental conservation. It linked the joy of Diwali with social awareness. The activity also showed that beautiful things can be made at low cost and from waste material, provided children get the chance to think and make things with their hands.