Pune: Housing societies in the city are finding new ways to make Ganeshotsav a community affair this year, with celebrations reflecting concerns outside the society gates as well as the interests of those within.One Katraj society is using its Ganapati display to highlight social issues. “Our Ganapati set-up is themed on issues students are facing across Maharashtra,” Nishant Patil, a resident, said.The mandap will sport posters on education, including examination and paper leaks. “We will also pray for the education system to be reformed as it needs to be,” Patil said, adding that Ganesha is associated with intellect and learning, so the mandap is thematically appropriate.The big new addition at a housing society in Kalyaninagar is something the residents have dubbed bhajan clubbing. “Rather than having bhajans as a conventional performance, a lead singer will lead the community through a planned set, with copies of the lyrics circulated beforehand,” Anuroopa Giri said.She said this idea has put a pep in the residents’ step. “There is so much excitement … everyone is hyped up,” she said. Also on the agenda are traditional-wear and colour days, a cultural evening and dhol taasha.Another Kalyaninagar housing society has planned a different regional menu for ‘mahaprasad’ each day — a full meal rather than a token offering. “We will start with a Maharashtrian fare, then a Bengali spread a subsequent day, et al. About 175 residents are expected to turn up each day,”Seema Rao, a resident, said.The community focus is also visible in the festival’s waste practices. Giri said children would make reusable items from agarbatti and flower waste, while flowers used during the seven days would be recycled and eventually used in the society garden. “Nothing goes to waste.”At another housing society on NIBM Road, residents plan to theme their decorations on clean eating. “The teenagers have taken charge of this project … to highlight healthier food choices, the importance of fresh and minimally processed ingredients, and the need to be more conscious of what goes on our plates,” said Priti Shah, a resident of the society.
