Koderma: In Jharkhand’s remote Satgawan block of Koderma district, rural women at the Pehalwan Ashram in Bhakra are crafting eco-friendly lamps and idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha from cow dung, turning this Diwali into a celebration of sustainability and empowerment.
Over 15 different products, including lamps, idols, “Shubh Labh” symbols, Swastikas, incense sticks, door garlands, and nameplates, are being made from a mix of cow dung and sawdust. Once sun-dried and painted in vibrant hues, these products are ready for the festive season.
The initiative, led by Vijay Kumar, Treasurer of the National Jharkhand Seva Sansthan, along with Neetu Kumari and Ishan Chand Mahato (trained in Bhuj, Gujarat), has empowered local women with valuable skills and economic opportunities.
According to Manoj Dangi, Secretary of the organisation, these products were recently showcased at the Diwali Fair organised by the IAS Officers’ Wives Association in Ranchi, where they received widespread appreciation.
Beyond income generation, these crafts promote cow protection and environmental conservation. The products are biodegradable, enriching the soil after disposal, and help utilise dung from old, non-milking cattle.
Once marked by insurgency, Satgawan is now emerging as a beacon of women’s empowerment and sustainability, lighting up lives this Diwali through innovation and self-reliance.
With inputs from IANS