Those who thought that Ganesh festival is celebrated mainly by Hindu only; there are many such Mumbaikars who have proven this stereotype wrong. There are an increasing number of non-Hindus who have begun celebrating this festival with as much fervor and devotion. All religion people celebrated this with great devotion.
One such example of secularism is Emran Chaudhary from Mumbai. He became the flower decorator for Ganapati festival, later this became his business. He is successfully managing this business with annual turnover of 10 to 15 lakhs rupees.
Imran, who lives in Malad, is doing flower decoration business since last seven years. Since childhood he was fond of Ganesh festival. In 2010, he and his friends started bringing Ganesh idols in their building. Imran used to do all decoration part, since childhood he loved decorating for Ganapati Bappa but he never thought his passion would become his biggest earning source one day.
With his experience in decoration, he started a business of flower decoration in 2013. In 2014, he decorated for the Ganapati idols of ‘Wamanapada Cha Raja’ at Vile Parle, ‘PNB Colony Cha Raja’. Gradually his business got well established; in 2016 he started receiving orders from big Ganapati Mandals of Mumbai. For the Ganapati idol of Abhyudan Nagar in Kalachauki area, he made a decoration of 20-foot tall flower Peacock. Seeing his work, he got another big order Chinchpokali’s mandal. In 2017, he got order for Chinchpokli Ganapati’s feet pooja’. Imran made two small flower peacocks there. In the year 2018, he decorated for Lalbaug Cha Raja’s feet pooja. For Abhyudan Nagar Cha Raja, he made a 20-ft Floral Snake. This year also he received many orders from big Ganesh mandals.
When Emran started the business, there were two workers with him; today there are five of them. Earlier, he used to make handcraft decoration. As now the thermocol is banned, they make structure with wood then flowers are planted on it. Recently he made a grand snake of five mouths. Sometimes he orders Flowers from places like Bangalore, Pune, Nashik, Ooti, Delhi, Bangkok etc. Imran said.
Avinash Mithabankar, worker, Abhyudan Nagar Cha Raja
Imran’s decorative work is so beautiful, since last 3-4 years, he is doing decoration for our Mandal. His work is so eye pleasing, it enhance beauty of our Mandal’s decoration.
Imran Chowdhury, Artist
I have always received an honor in Ganapati festival; I have never seen any religious discrimination. We always see a unity in Mumbai’s Ganesh festival, it’s a symbol of secularism.
