Ganga Utsav 2024: Celebrating the River Ganga in Haridwar
The spiritual city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand, India, is preparing for the eighth edition of the Ganga Utsav, set to take place on November 4 at Chandi Ghat. Organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the festival aims to promote the conservation of the River Ganga and raise awareness about its cultural and spiritual significance.
Event Highlights
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil will inaugurate the event, which will feature several distinguished guests. A key highlight is the Women’s River Rafting Campaign, where 20 women will journey from Devprayag to Ganga Sagar over 50 days to spread awareness about the river’s importance.
Initiatives and Cultural Programs
Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General of NMCG, emphasized the Women’s River Rafting Campaign, organized in collaboration with the BSF. The event will also focus on reviving the ‘Mahseer’ fish species in the Ganga and launching new products and knowledge portals about the river.
Cultural programs will include a performance by actor Ashutosh Rana, a Ganga Aarti, and a sound and light show depicting Haridwar’s story. Various stalls and a special VR tunnel will be available for children, and the River City Alliances initiative will be showcased.
Objectives and Acknowledgments
The Ganga Utsav aims to raise awareness about the Ganga River’s cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance, especially among the youth. It also acknowledges the efforts of those working for river cleanliness and conservation. This year’s event marks the first time it will be held on the riverbank, celebrating the Ganga’s designation as India’s ‘National River’.
The celebration will span 139 districts within the Ganga basin, coordinated by District Ganga Committees. The central event in Haridwar will be attended by Union Minister CR Patil, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other prominent guests.
Doubts Revealed
Ganga Utsav -: Ganga Utsav is a festival celebrating the River Ganga, which is very important in India for its cultural, spiritual, and environmental significance.
Haridwar -: Haridwar is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, known for being a holy place where the River Ganga flows.
Union Minister CR Patil -: CR Patil is a government official in India who is part of the Union Cabinet, responsible for the Jal Shakti Ministry, which deals with water resources.
National Mission for Clean Ganga -: This is a government program in India aimed at cleaning and protecting the River Ganga to ensure it remains healthy and clean.
Jal Shakti Minister -: The Jal Shakti Minister is a government official in India responsible for managing water resources, including rivers like the Ganga.
Women’s River Rafting Campaign -: This is an activity where women participate in rafting on the river, promoting adventure and awareness about the river’s importance.
Mahseer fish species -: Mahseer is a type of fish found in Indian rivers, and efforts are being made to protect and increase their population.
Ganga basin -: The Ganga basin is the area of land where all the water drains into the River Ganga, covering many districts and states in India.
