Youths still there, but in a different way

PUNE: Youngsters remain an integral part of the Ganeshotsav, but their role and scope of participation have changed significantly in the last few years. While many have kept their association with the event intact, a large majority restricts itself to only immersion-day celebrations.
Old timers recall the enthusiasm that marked the beginning of the preparations days ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi day."We as boys would be given the task to go from house to house and shop to shop, asking for vargani (donation). None of us ever hesitated to seek a little more help, but children today would drag their feet if asked to step out for collecting money. Even if they do, they don't show the persistence and the ability to convince," said Shailesh Dharmadhikari, who was associated with a Ganesh mandal in Chinchwad till some 10 years back.
Sanjay Balgude of the Khadakmal Ali Mandal agrees that seeking donations is something the youths want to avoid. "Petty collections are still done, but our boys won't approach the donors again who had refused to contribute smaller sums like Rs 50 and Rs 100. Reaching out to corporate advertisers is more lucrative because they give anything between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh for putting up their advertisement posters," said Balgude.
The dwindling participation of small contributors means the sarvajanik (public) Ganeshotsav is losing its identity. "The day is not far away when we may have to call it a private ltd event instead of a community celebration," remarked Balgude.
Mansingh Patole of the Navagruha Mandal says the youngsters are still keen on making a contribution to the 10-day festivity, but they lack the direction and motivation. "It's true that most of the boys are seen only on the day of immersion when they get an opportunity to dance to heart-pumping music numbers, police presence notwithstanding. But one cannot negate the influence of mass media. They do what they see on TV all through the year. Ten days is too short a period to bring about a total transformation," said Patole.
Pravin Pardeshi, president of Guruji Talim Mandal, suggests that youths should take Ganeshotsav as seriously as Navaratri. "The believers piously follow all the rituals and restrictions during the nine days. Can't they do the same during Ganeshotsav?" asked Pardeshi.
Uday Jagtap of Adarsh Mitra Mandal said the organisers struggle to get the required manpower. "Over the last 10 years, people have migrated to outskirts of the city. So, mandals have lost many volunteers. The young ones are reticent and hesitate to join. There are occasions when there is no one to guard the Ganapati idols at night," said Jagtap.
Eighteen-year-old Parikshit Khore from Ambegaon Pathar said that youngsters like him do get involved, but their objective is sheer entertainment.
"Unlike mandals in city areas where advertisers pay well, in the outskirts we struggle to get enough funding although our expenses are the same. We want donations to get the best DJ. I would always want my procession to have the best music. It's the adrenaline rush of dance and song that gets the flock together," said Khore.