Re-immersion drive to clean up city beaches……Aarefa Johari
The central coordinating committee for Ganeshotsav in Mumbai is all set to take up a green cause. The committee has asked the citys youth to join them in a drive to clean up the beaches, a day after the final immersions. The Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti has planned the drive, where the volunteers will re-immerse broken parts of Ganpati idols that are washed ashore.
Titled Punarvisarjan, the drive will be held all through the day on September 23. We already have 70 volunteers from our organisation, but we need many more young boys and girls to help make the drive a success, said Naresh Dahibawkar, president of the Samiti.
Workers from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and volunteers from different non-profit groups usually carry out the job of cleaning the citys beaches.
People complain that we dont take enough responsibility for cleaning up after organising this massive festival. So, this time we want to be at the forefront, said Dahibawkar, who has also requested all Ganesh mandals in the city to enlist two or three volunteers for the Punarvisarjan.
From the general public, the Samiti is specifically targeting college students to join in. We are willing to provide t-shirts and other incentives, but it is important for the youth to take up this cause for the environment, said Dahibawkar. This year, our focus will be Girgaum Chowpatty, and from next year, we will spread out to other beaches as well.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Naresh Dahibawkar, president of the Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, at 9869631280.