New Delhi: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jal Shakti Minister, recalling how the Prime Minister’s call for Aviral and Nirmal Ganga has become a mass movement at the Ganga Utsav 2020 said, “Ganga rejuvenation is a continuous task that’s why we have to promote public participation, we have to create a sense of duty among people, it can be done only when we are able to make people realize what Ganga offers us.”
He emphasized that festivals like Ganga Utsav are very important to encourage public participation. He said that Ganga rejuvenation is not only government work but involves constant public engagement and dialogue. He said, “This program is an enabler in transforming our ‘Astha’ (faith) to our ‘Kartavya’(duty) towards Ganga.”
“While practising at Ganga ghats, I got inspiration to sing from Maa Ganga.” said Kailash Kher. His musical performance enthralled the viewers.
Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, NMCG while giving a recap of the first two days of the festival informed that not only from India but people from different parts of the world joined the festival virtually. U.P Singh, Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry congratulated the NamamiGange Mission. He said, “a festival which started as a standalone evening event, ‘ekshaam Ganga ke naam’ has come a long way under the present NMCG team.” This will be instrumental in connecting people to the river, he added.
More than three lakh people joined the festival virtually from across the world. In the closing ceremony, Mr. Mishra said NamamiGange has a strong component of public participation as per overall guidance and vision given by Hon’ble Prime Minister and this Janbhagidari-peoples movement is helping immensely in Ganga rejuvenation.
The festival extends this vision beyond these three days and NMCG continuously resolves to work in the direction of increasing public awareness and strengthening public participation towards river rejuvenation. He also listed several specific activities in future such as Haridwar Kumbh, the annual Ganga Quest, Wetland day, Biodiversity day, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Ganga runs, etc calling upon people to participate and make the next Ganga Utsav even bigger and develop a movement for River festivals in the country.
