Pragathi Pratisthan, a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) led by B.K. Ajay Kumar Jain in Vidyaranyapuram, Mysuru, is crafting eco-friendly lamps using cow dung cakes, ghee, milk, cow urine and curd. Several households in Mysuru will light up eco-friendly cow dung diyas this Deepavali as an alternative to the traditional earthen lamps thanks to the initiative of a group of residents.
Kokila Ramesh Jain, president of the Jeev Daya Jain Charity, who is the brain behind the programme, said, “We want to encourage people to use cow dung diyas instead of earthen diyas. The earthen diyas take time to compost in the soil, whereas the cow dung diyas burn into ashes. When lighted, they spread positive energy and the ashes can be used as fertilizer. These diyas would also generate income for cow grazers.”
According to reports. Jain mentioned that they have already prepared 3,000 lamps and are in the process of making an additional 2,000, which will be completed soon. These lamps will be distributed in front of Chikka Gadiyara (small clock tower) near Devaraja Market in Nov. 11. These lamps can be used twice and then they turn into ashes, which can be used as compost for plants.
Pragati Pratishthan’ is a non-government, non-political, not for profit organization, registered under the Public Charitable Trust Act and the Societies Registration Act (1860). Pragati Pratishthan is an NGO, striving towards collective integrated development in Jawhar Tehsil for the last 30 years.
The NGO’s interventions include water conservation, drinking water solutions, solar-powered home lighting solutions, supplementary nutrition and crèche programs, agriculture development and formation of self-help groups.
