Ganesh Idol painted with natural dyes presented

HYDERABAD: An eco-friendly idol of Ganesha, painted with natural dyes, was presented to the chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy by the staff of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University at his camp office on Saturday.The mud idol was painted using natural paints being developed under the National Agricultural Innovation project of ANGRAU, on ‘Value Chain in Natural Dyes’ sponsored by the World Bank.The ANGRAU staff, led by principal secretary for Agriculture and ANGRAU in-charge vice-chancellor V Nagi Reddy presented the two-and-half feet idol to the chief minister.They also informed about the use of natural dye paints to address water pollution problems associated with immersion of idols.According to the university authorities, the project has successfully brought out 5,000 natural dye shades on cotton, silk and banana textiles.Eco-powders for Holi festival and natural dyed handicrafts have also been developed.A natural dye plant has been established at Chintapally in Visakhapatnam district to manufacture natural dyes in powder form by tribal groups.Another facility has been set up at College of Home Science in the city, said the officials.