APPEAL OF THE DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO GENERAL PUBLIC ON SMOKELESS BHOGI CELEBRATIONS
Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Thai and signifies the end of the harvest season. Its history dates back to the Sangam age, since 200 B.C. to 300 A.D. Pongal festival has great association with harvest and hence it is celebrated as Harvest Festival in Tamil Nadu and it marks the end of harvesting.
Bhogi festival or Bhogi is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, “the God of Clouds and Rains”. Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Thus, this day is also known as Indran. On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom, and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.
A ritual observed on this day is Bhogi bonfire, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. The significance of the bonfire, in which is burnt the agricultural wastes and firewood is to keep warm during the last lap of winter. However, in recent times this ritual of bonfire causes immense air pollution due to burning plastics and rubber tyres as agriculture waste is not available in cities. This results in the release of carbon di-oxide and other obnoxious gases into the atmosphere, exposure to which results in irritation of eye, nose, throat, skin and respiratory diseases besides many other health hazards. Therefore, people are requested to
Ø Avoid burning of the waste materials such as rubber tyres, plastics, polythene, etc on the Bhogi day.
Ø Instead, the waste materials may be disposed of in an appropriate way. Plastics, unwanted papers and rubber could be used for recycling.
Ø All other organic wastes may be converted into compost or disposed into Corporation waste bins.
Ø Do not burn useless tyres, old clothes and other wastes at this will contribute to air pollution and global warming.
The Department of Environment is conducting various awareness meetings and rallies through National Green Corps and Eco clubs, requesting the public to celebrate Bhogi in a Smokeless and eco-friendly manner.
Let us pledge to celebrate joyous Bhogi, Pongal and Kanum Pongal in an eco-friendly manner. Small action of each one of us can make a difference to our environment.
“SAVE ENVIROMENT – SAVE NATURE - CELEBRATE POLLUTION FREE BHOGI”
Director
Department of Environment