Students of Sri Bhavana Vidya Niketan making clay Ganesha idols during a workshop organised by Green Climate Team in Visakhapatnam. File.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) on Friday (September 11, 2026) entered the World Book of Records, London, after 25,000 students from 55 schools simultaneously made eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols as part of its Green Ganesh programme.
The event, organised under the Nava Guntur initiative, was centrally monitored at the NTR Stadium, where GMC Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok, MLAs Galla Madhavi, Naseer Ahmed and Boorla Ramanjaneyulu, Andhra Pradesh State Technology Services (APTS) chairman Mannava Mohan Krishna and others participated.
World Book of Records, London, Joint Secretary Eliaz formally announced the record and presented the registration certificate. He said the previous record involved 8,750 participants making clay idols, while the Guntur initiative set a new benchmark with 25,000 students participating simultaneously.
Mr. Ashok said the programme aimed to create awareness among children about celebrating festivals while protecting the environment. He said the 25,000 clay idols would help keep plaster-of-Paris and chemically coloured idols away from as many families.
Special attractions included a sand Ganesha idol, a clay idol and a painting displayed at the stadium.
The Commissioner congratulated educational institutions and GMC and Education Department officials for the programme’s success. He said the civic body would continue environmental initiatives with public participation, including tree plantation and enforcement against single-use plastic.
Published – September 12, 2026 09:03 am IST
