Bengaluru: POP Ganesha idols banned in public celebrations, committees asked to give undertaking
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre on Thursday said that local bodies across the state have been instructed to obtain a written undertaking from Ganesh Utsav committees that they will not use Plaster of Paris (POP) idols during public celebrations. Permission for setting up pandals will be given only after this undertaking.
Speaking at a press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the minister said, “Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with devotion, but the festival should not turn into a danger for aquatic life. POP idols do not dissolve in water and release harmful chemicals. The chemical paints used on them contain heavy metals which kill aquatic life. That is why we appeal to the people to worship and immerse only eco-friendly clay idols.”
90% clay idols in coastal districts
Khandre pointed out that in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts, nearly 90% of people use clay idols. “If it is possible there, why not in other districts? Pollution Control Board, district administration, taluk offices and local bodies must create awareness,” he said.
The minister also urged schools and colleges to educate children about worshipping clay idols so that the next generation follows eco-friendly traditions.
Only green crackers allowed during immersion
On the issue of firecrackers during Ganesh visarjan processions, Khandre reminded that as per Supreme Court directions, bursting of crackers must be restricted to 8 pm to 10 pm, and the sound level must not exceed 125 decibels. “Committees and the public should avoid harmful fireworks. Only green crackers should be used,” he stressed.
Ban on single-use plastic
The minister reminded that single-use plastics, which do not dissolve in soil or water and release toxic substances when burnt, are already banned in Karnataka. However, plastic waste is still seen on streets and near water bodies. “Local bodies must act more strictly, and public awareness is also needed,” he said.
Climate change a bigger concern
Khandre also linked the issue to the larger threat of climate change. “All over the world, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are causing disasters. One month’s rainfall is coming down in a single week, and a week’s rain is falling in a single day. This leads to floods and destruction. Protecting our one and only earth is the responsibility of all of us,” he said.
State Pollution Control Board chairman and MLA P.M. Narendra Swami, along with senior officers from the Forest Department, were also present at the press meet.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
