Bringing Change this Deepavali with Desi Lanterns or Akaash Buttis

“This Akaash Butti is going to bring back the charm to your Deepavali festivities”

When Deepavali is around, it is but common to find the sound of burning crackers and the smell of sulphur suffocating you around. We have seen that, over the years the crackers that are being burst in Bangalore have subsequently reduced and also there has been a general lack of interest and enthusiasm surrounding the joy of lights.

To make your Deepavali a much more safe and filled with energy, Samarpana a NGO based in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru has brought back the concept of the Swadeshi Akaash Butti or the Desi Lantern.

Samarpana, the NGO is run by Shivakumar Hosmani, an activist working with multi-dimensional causes. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few days and learning the reason behind launching this campaign of re-invigorating Deepavali with lights and with special effect to the Akaash Butti.

For those who dont know, the Akaash butti is made from locally available bamboo that is made in the form a lantern and coloured paper add to the vibrance and colour of the whole unit. It is strong, reliable and reusable making it a hugely environment friendly lantern that also brings back a Indian tradition of the festival of lights.

In his own words he explains that “ The campaign is run to promote the use of Indian products. Every year tons of plastic lanterns from China come to Indian shores. Every lantern sold is a bullet that is killing an Indian soldier. “

Additionally the lanterns that Samarpana is preparing is done through a juvenile convict rehabilitation programme where the young minds are completely turned towards to more productive minds rather than letting negative habits take root.

Listening to him recount the story of juvenile convicts turning their life around is rather inspiring and each time I think back it gives goosebumps that such a cause is being taken up. As an activist Shivakumar Hosmani is well known for his environmentally friendly efforts, his idea of the waste collection that he experimented in the late 90’s is now the basis of the collection methods followed by the BBMP; additionally the NGO helps kids in the rural schools across Karnataka by reusing notebooks that still have sheets left in them, reusing these unused papers to make new books.

Coming back to the lantern, it greatly reduces that plastic that is used. He also informs that these unused lanterns that come from China are dumped into the sea after Deepavali if they remain unused, wreaking havoc to the sea creatures and the marine ecosystem.

These plastic lanterns may end up like this !

We urge you to join in the Swadeshi Lantern revolution by buying these authentic Indian lanterns that makes the environment safer, helps the rehab of juvenile convicts and most importantly hits the Chinese economy by the use of Swadeshi products. Contact Shivakumar Hosmani at 9980008074 and book your Akaash Butti now at just 250 INR per piece.

The lanterns add value to your home by adding a tinge of tradition and a dash of vibrance to an otherwise dull Deepavali. Join hands with Samarpana in its quest to make your festival of lights more fulfilling…

It was an absolute pleasure meeting and talking with Shivakumar Hosmani and his ideas and ideals definitely can infuse a deep sense of wanting to do more to the society around us. Additionally you could help Samarpana by joining in this drive of saving trees, water and unused sheets.