As city residents flock riverside to bid adieu to Ganesha, environmentalists cry foul

LUDHIANA: Amidst the echoes of chanting ‘

Ganpati

Bappa Morrya’, organizers of various Ganesh Mahotsav committees and residents bid

adieu

to their beloved God after worshipping him for 10 days. On Sunday, people gathered on the banks of Satluj while some went to Doraha River and even to Sidhwan Canal for immersion of idols. There was great enthusiasm among the devotees.



Beaming with jubilant mood, a shopkeeper and resident of Madhopuri, Raman Jain, said that Ganesh Mahotsav is one occasion in the year that witnesses non-stop celebrations for as long as nine to 10 days. He said the festival has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years across different states of the country. People outside Maharashtra also celebrate the festival now with equal gaiety and dedication as witnessed in the state.

Talking about his experience, a student and resident of Sita Nagar, Deepak Kapur, said, “I enjoyed a lot during religious processions and immersion of the idol in the Satluj River, where we danced with full enthusiasm and bid adieu to Lord Ganesha only to welcome him again next year.”

However, the immersion of idols in water raised eyebrows of environmentalists who condemned the act by saying organizers should find an alternative when it comes to immersion of idols or choose to make and go for eco-friendly idols.

An environmentalist and founder of SBS Roots, Amandeep Bains, said, “We are not against any religious function and do not want to stop it, but it has to be taken into consideration that rivers are getting polluted badly these days and it is our duty to take steps accordingly and save them before it is too late.” He said some of the organizers use idols made of POP or other harmful material which does not melt in water. he added that people should rather make idols with sand or wheat flour. It further said that administration should come forward to take control of the situation.