Ten lakh cow dung diyas from Rajasthan's self-help groups shipped to Mauritius for Dīpāvalī
A gauśālā network and rural women's groups are supplying lamps for a festival celebrated across the ocean, according to the organisers.
- PTI via ThePrint
Around 10 lakh eco-friendly diyas made from cow dung in Rajasthan have been shipped to Mauritius for Dīpāvalī, an organisation involved told PTI. Another 6.5 lakh have been supplied to 16 states across India.
The lamps are made by women and young people in self-help groups. They come from Tonk, Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Malpura and Niwai.
Atul Gupta, international coordinator of the Akhil Bharatiya Gaushala Sahyog Parishad, said the work involves charitable organisations, a farmer producers' association and more than 70 self-help groups. He said about 16.5 lakh diyas have been produced and marketed so far, with nearly 10,000 now being made every day.
Monika Gupta of the Hahnemann Charitable Mission Society said the aim is to give rural women employment and financial independence. "Our effort is to help women become entrepreneurs rather than merely provide them with work," she said.
The groups also make organic manure, incense sticks, flower pots and idols of Lord Gaṇeśa and Goddess Lakṣmī. Gupta said the Parishad gives gauśālās training and technical guidance through its network.
Key data
10 lakh diyas to Mauritius; 6.5 lakh to 16 states; about 16.5 lakh in total; nearly 10,000 made per day. All figures are from the organisers, as reported by PTI.
Why it matters
The order links a Hindu community abroad with gauśālās and village women in Rajasthan through a single festival. It shows one practical way cow-based crafts can support rural livelihoods.
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