The 7th edition of Ganga Utsav was organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga in New Delhi and was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, in the presence of Special Secretary and Director General, NMCG, Shri G. Asok Kumar. The event also marked the release of 33rd edition of Namami Gange Magazine, the new Chacha Chaudhary series and the Voyage of Ganga Booklet, based on Ganga Pustak Parikrama in collaboration with NBT. The 2nd edition of Ganga Pustak Parikrama was also flagged off today by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, and Mr. G. Asok Kumar. Ganga Pustak Parikrama will commence its 3-month long journey from Gangotri on 7 November 2023 and pass through all cities and towns on the banks of River Ganga – Uttarkashi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Bijnor, Meerut, Aligarh, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Chhapra, Patna, Begusarai, Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj, Baharampur, Kolkata, and Haldia – before ending its journey at Gangasagar on 11 January 2024.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee expressed that the Ganga is not merely a river but a profound emotion that resonates with all of us. She expressed her satisfaction in witnessing the remarkable progress in the Ganga Rejuvenation efforts, especially in collaboration with the new generation. She drew attention to the beautiful connection between Ghalib and the Yamuna, emphasizing the deeply rooted cultural significance of our rivers. She stressed that the preservation of rivers is a shared responsibility of everyone. She reiterated that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always emphasizes that ‘Water is Everyone’s Business’ and has underscored the pivotal role of water in the sustainable development of our nation. In this context, she highlighted the pressing need to address the issue of solid waste contaminating our water bodies. Each one of us, she insisted, must step forward and contribute to safeguarding our rivers. She underscored the urgency of tackling the flow of sewage into water bodies and advocated for enhanced solid waste management, particularly emphasizing plastic waste control.
Water conservation was another focal point of her address, as she highlighted its critical role in the rejuvenation of rivers. She called for collective action and collaboration, stating that water conservation and river rejuvenation are fundamental responsibilities that we all share. She emphasized the pivotal role of the Jan Andolan (people’s movement) in the noble cause of river rejuvenation.
Special Secretary and Director General, NMCG extended a warm welcome to the attendees and emphasized the profound significance of the Ganga in India. Shri Kumar informed that Ganga was declared as the National River of India in 2008, which led to the establishment of the National Ganga Day. He further elaborated on how each year, this auspicious day unites a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including children, in joyous celebrations and activities. Shri Kumar underscored the significance of Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, where “Catch the Rain” campaign was launched by the Hon. Prime Minister during which he addressed Sarpanchs from all corners of the nation, emphasizing the critical role the Ganga plays in our shared heritage.
