Ganga Utsav inaugurated in Haridwar to mark anniversary of Ganga being declared National River
Tuesday, 05 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Union minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil inaugurated Ganga Utsav 2024 at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar on Monday in the presence of Union minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary and Uttarakhand Women Empowerment and Child Development minister Rekha Arya. Ganga Utsav 2024 was organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to mark the anniversary of declaring the Ganga River as the National River. The primary aim of this festival is to promote the conservation of the Ganga, emphasise its cultural and spiritual importance, and raise public awareness about cleanliness. This eighth edition of the event is the first to be held on the riverbank, with celebrations extending across 139 districts in the Ganga basin States. Each state hosted a main event organised by the district Ganga committees.
Speaking on the occasion, Patil shared the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that the Ganga benefits 600 million people of this country and revered as a mother, it gives selflessly without taking. Patil emphasised that revering rivers as mothers is deeply rooted in our culture and conserving the river is a noble initiative that we all must ensure. He recalled that upon becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had said that “Maa Ganga has called me”. Since then, the Prime Minister has shown unwavering commitment to raising awareness and rallying public support for the conservation of the Ganga.
Patil noted that Prime Minister’s Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari initiative has gained widespread support, with people actively participating in the cause. Rainwater harvesting structures are being constructed across states to store water. He emphasised that public support is essential for conserving Ganga, as it requires a collective, holistic effort from everyone.
Patil also interacted and had a discussion with spiritual leaders and gurus present in the Utsav under a session titled Ganga Samvad. Speaking at the session, he called for river conservation and rejuvenation and urged everyone to spread awareness about this to save the Ganga. Patil also flagged off the Ganga Women Rafting Expedition. The 50-day long expedition will conclude at Gangasagar traversing through nine major cities and towns along the Ganga. This historic expedition will coincide with various activities organised across several districts in the five key States of the Ganga basin. He also felicitated the BSF river rafting team on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary highlighted that the Ganga Utsav is a unique festival dedicated to river conservation, with many activities planned to promote the conservation and cleanliness of the Ganga. He emphasised that rivers are not just sources of water but are also sacred and deeply significant, especially the Ganga, which unites us all. He affirmed that, under PM Modi’s leadership, efforts are underway to ensure the cleanliness and conservation of the Ganga.
Chaudhary said that through the Namami Gange initiative, Rs 7,144 crore has been sanctioned in Bihar for 39 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), with 17 already completed. Conservation efforts are also focused on Ganga’s tributaries. These projects are essential for conserving the Ganga, a river with rich historical and cultural significance and help in driving national development through conservation of rivers, he added.
