A Thane-based organisation, which has been promoting eco-friendly Ganesh festival, has received an award for popularising science among children.

On February 27, the Jidnyasa Trust received a prestigious national award for popularising science and technology among children.

The 16-year-old organisation has been incessantly working towards making science fun for children in Thane and other districts of Maharashtra. Surendra Dighe, founder and managing trustee of Jidnyasa, said: “Students from various schools come together on one platform and participate in our projects. We give them ideas and projects that increase their knowledge and confidence and make science a lot more fun for these students.”

Jidnyasa Trust is also a state coordinator and nodal agency for National Children Science Congress (NCSC) Maharashtra since 2000. The popularity of NCSC could be gauged by the fact that in 2008, 1003 schools from 33 districts of state presented 1,901 projects.

Besides promoting Science and creating environmental awareness among urban students, Jidnyasa also promotes Science among tribal children through Science Congress. “It is a matter of pride that every year at least one project from science congress for tribal children gains entry into the national level on the basis of merit,” said Dighe.

Jidnyasa is a household name in Thane for promoting eco-friendly Ganpati festival for last ten years.

It was in 1998 that a project by four students guided and coordinated by Jidnyasa Trust on the consequences of immersing Ganesh idols in Masunda shook the city. The study observed that 21590.80 kg of substance and 20446.68 kg of colour was added to the water with the immersion of 6625 idols into the lake. The study also revealed that depth of the lake had decreased by eight feet in five years and if immersions continued at the same rate, lake would be filled to the brim with pollutants.

The study by the students that was presented at National Children Science Congress was also selected for Indian Science Congress, became an eye-opener for the civic authorities who then begin promoting eco-friendly Ganpati festival.

“Yes that was one project which caught the imagination of people. Every year sizable number of volunteers turn up to form human chain around lakes to create awareness on eco-friendly Ganpati festivals,” said Dighe.