RAICHUR: As many as 40 youths, united under the Vanasiri Foundation Sindhanur, have contributed Rs 300 per head. They have hired a woman labourer to make Ganesha idols from red-saline soil. They have inserted seeds of moringa, papaya, watermelon, coriander, muskmelon, tulasi, and chilli in the idols. They have distributed 200 idols to enthusiasts, who paid the price as per their wishes and capacity!
Amaregouda Mallapur, 33, Founder President, Vanasiri Foundation, who pitched the idea of "Vruksha Ganesha", told TOI that the campaign was launched two years ago and many plants and trees have now grown in various towns of the state. "This time also, we trained devotees to immerse idols either on their agriculture/garden land or in flowerpots at home. These immersed idols grow as saplings and give yield to their owners", he explained.
