The 7th edition of Ganga Utsav, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga in New Delhi, was inaugurated by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with the presence of Shri G. Asok Kumar, the Special Secretary and Director General of NMCG. This event was a significant occasion that included the release of the 33rd edition of Namami Gange Magazine, the introduction of the new Chacha Chaudhary series, and the unveiling of the Voyage of Ganga Booklet, a collaborative effort with the National Book Trust (NBT).
Additionally, during the event, the 2nd edition of Ganga Pustak Parikrama was launched by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee and Mr. G. Asok Kumar. This initiative, known as Ganga Pustak Parikrama, will embark on a 3-month journey, commencing from Gangotri on November 7, 2023, and passing through various cities and towns along the banks of the River Ganga. The journey will cover locations such as Uttarkashi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Bijnor, Meerut, Aligarh, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Chhapra, Patna, Begusarai, Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj, Baharampur, Kolkata, and Haldia, before culminating at Gangasagar on January 11, 2024.
In her address, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee emphasized the profound cultural and emotional connection that the people of India share with the Ganga river. She expressed her satisfaction with the progress in Ganga Rejuvenation efforts and highlighted the importance of involving the younger generation in this noble cause. She stressed the shared responsibility of preserving our rivers and advocated for addressing issues like solid waste contaminating water bodies, sewage management, and plastic waste control. Water conservation was also a key point in her speech, underlining the critical role it plays in the rejuvenation of rivers. She called for collective action and collaboration, emphasizing that water conservation and river rejuvenation are responsibilities shared by all and lauded the importance of the Jan Andolan (people’s movement) in this mission.
Shri G. Asok Kumar extended a warm welcome to the attendees and underscored the profound significance of the Ganga in India. He highlighted the United Nations’ recognition of Namami Gange as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships, emphasizing its contribution to the rejuvenation of the natural world. Shri Kumar also mentioned the efforts of District Ganga Committees across the Ganga Basin and how they have contributed to fostering connections with the people. He emphasized the shift from an engineering-oriented approach to one that focuses on community involvement, education, and livelihood generation through the Arth Ganga model. Shri Kumar also pointed out the increase in the population of Ganges River Dolphins and the international partnerships that have strengthened NMCG’s mission. The role of dedicated women volunteers, the Dilli Haat-Jalaj project, and the River-Cities Alliance were highlighted as essential components of river rejuvenation efforts.
The Ganga Utsav 2023 event featured a variety of cultural performances, including flute recitals, folk dances, and music, aimed at promoting a deeper connection between people and rivers. The event concluded with a mesmerizing fusion music performance, marking the end of this vibrant and insightful celebration of the Ganga and its importance in India’s cultural and environmental heritage.