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.
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.
Dwivedi said these special diyas dissolve into the soil soon after use, causing no harm to the environment. These eco-friendly lamps have been produced at Bio-Ved Research Institute of Agriculture Technology and Sciences (BRITS), located in Moharab, Shringverpur. 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. 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.