Prayagraj: Diwali in several countries, including Singapore, will be lit up with lamps made from cow dung and lac from Prayagraj. A city-based organisation that makes lac products has received bulk orders for Diwali lamps and idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.These eco-friendly lamps have been produced at Bio-Ved Research Institute of Agriculture Technology and Sciences (BRITS), located in Moharab, Shringverpur.The institute’s director, BK Dwivedi, said that the organisation has received an order for 3.5 lakh lamps made from cow dung and lac from ‘Xenture Private Limited’, a Noida-based company that exports handicrafts. The company intends to distribute these lamps to the Indian diaspora living in Singapore, the USA and several European nations for the Diwali festival.Dwivedi further added that, in addition to the lamps, they have received orders for 3 lakh idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kuber—all crafted from cow dung and finished with a lac coating. Additionally, they have received an order for 200 kilograms of incense sticks (dhupbatti) made from cow dung. Within India, the institute has also secured orders for these lamps from states including Gujarat, Odisha, Delhi and Maharashtra.Ahead of the Diwali festival, a large number of rural women at BRITS institute in Prayagraj are engaged in crafting these special Diwali lamps and idols, utilising a unique combination of cow dung and lac.Dwivedi said these special diyas dissolve into the soil soon after use, causing no harm to the environment. He added that when lit, the burning lac also helps keep insects and pests away. The mix of science and tradition has become especially popular among Indians living abroad.There is immense potential for employment within the traditional industries of the state’s rural regions. The Yogi govt is breathing new life into these traditional sectors. A lac cluster is being developed in Moharab, Prayagraj, with support provided by Khadi and Village Industries department for the revival of this industry.Jawaharlal, District Khadi and Village Industries Officer (Prayagraj), notes that under the SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) fund, financial assistance of ₹256.12 lakh has been provided to Bio-Ved Research Institute of Agriculture Technology and Sciences. This funding has enabled the establishment of a Common Facility Centre (CFC) for the industry. By developing this into a cluster, employment opportunities are being created for the unemployed in the village. Bio-Ved Institute is a leading organisation in the state for lac production, and it not only promotes lac cultivation but also manufactures various eco-friendly products, providing work to thousands of villagers.Dwivedi, meanwhile, maintained that rural women from more than half a dozen development blocks in the district have found employment through this initiative. The setting up of the CFC has made it possible to bring together traditional industries and artisans, design new products tailored to market demand, and improve packaging through cluster development. As a result, more than 11,000 rural residents have secured employment.
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