Ideaz

                                  Prakriti Vinayak 

Problem Statement

Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, millions of idols are immersed in rivers, lakes, and seas. A large number of these idols are made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) or plastic, which:

• Do not dissolve in water → instead, they harden into gypsum, reducing oxygen levels.
• Release toxic paints (lead, mercury, chromium) → poisoning aquatic life and contaminating food chains.
• Cause massive water pollution → lakes and rivers remain filled with idol debris for months.
• Hurt local communities → foul smell, dead fish, unusable water, and religious places becoming polluted.

On the other hand, traditional clay idols are eco-friendly but heavier, fragile, and less attractive in finish, which limits their large-scale adoption in cities.

who benefits 

1. Users (Families & Devotees)
• They can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with a beautiful, detailed idol that looks just as good as PoP.
• No guilt about harming rivers, lakes, or marine life.
• Convenient immersion — dissolves easily in a bucket at home, so no need to travel to immersion sites.
• Safe for children (non-toxic materials).

2. Buyers (Housing Societies, Community Groups, Pandals)
• Can showcase eco-consciousness — a selling point for modern housing societies, corporates, and schools.
• Avoid government restrictions/fines on PoP idols (many states have banned PoP).
• Easy logistics — lighter than clay, safer to transport than traditional fragile idols.

3. Community & Environment
• Prevents water pollution: no gypsum, no plastics, no toxic paints.
• Protects aquatic life from suffocation and poisoning.
• Waste material (if any) is compostable or reusable.
• Supports local artisans (instead of industrial PoP factories) — new jobs, traditional craft revival.

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 Why This Problem Matters to You (Founder’s Story Angle)
• Religious + Environmental Balance: Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi are meant to celebrate life and nature, but PoP idols end up harming rivers and lakes. This contradiction hurts both faith and environment.
• Personal Motivation: Maybe you’ve seen local lakes full of broken idols after immersion, dead fish floating, or black water from chemical paints. That moment makes you ask: Can we celebrate without destroying nature?
• Future Generations: If kids grow up thinking tradition = pollution, they will lose respect for both. But if they see tradition + sustainability, they inherit pride and responsibility.
• Startup Vision: You’re not just making idols — you’re creating a cultural shift where people celebrate Lord Ganesh as Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) for the planet too.

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Technical Details (for credibility & differentiation)

• Problem with PoP: PoP = calcium sulfate hemihydrate. When immersed, it turns to gypsum, which is insoluble in water. It settles, reduces oxygen levels, and suffocates aquatic life. Plus, synthetic paints add heavy metals.
• Your Solution: A new eco-material that is moldable like PoP, light-weight, but water-soluble/biodegradable.
• Material Options:
• Biopolymer blends: Starch + cellulose + biodegradable PVA → strong, smooth finish.
• Paper pulp composites: Lightweight, low-cost, dissolves quickly.
• Properties:
• Captures fine details for artistry.
• Light enough for big idols.
• Breaks down within 24–48 hrs of immersion