GANGA SWACHHATA PAKHWADA INAUGURATED

GANGA SWACHHATA PAKHWADA INAUGURATED

25-MARCH-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------------In accordance with the directives of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the "Ganga Swachhata Pakhwada (Cleanliness Fortnight) and Jal Mahotsav 2026" special day program was inaugurated at the Collectorate premises in Bhojpur by the Ganga Committee, Bhojpur. This event was organized under the guidance of the District Magistrate-cum-Chairperson of the District Ganga Committee, Bhojpur. The first session of the program featured a "Jal Arpan" (Water Offering) awareness rally, community service (*Shramdaan*), and the administration of a cleanliness pledge. Distinguished guests present during this session included the Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Bhojpur, the Welfare Officer, the District Art and Culture Officer, the National Service Scheme (NSS) Program Officer, and officials from the National Cadet Corps (NCC). The officials in attendance jointly performed the "Jal Arpan" ritual to convey the message of water conservation and flagged off the rally. At the conclusion of the program, the District Magistrate formally flagged off the Ganga Cleanliness and Water Conservation Awareness Rally. A large number of participants—including cadets from the 8th Bihar Battalion NCC, NSS volunteers from various colleges affiliated with Veer Kunwar Singh University, students, and members of local physical academies—took part in the rally, effectively carrying the message of water conservation to the masses. The second session of the program was formally inaugurated by the chief guests of the session—including the Senior Treasury Officer, District Statistics Officer, Senior Deputy Collector, District Art and Culture Officer, District Project Officer (District Ganga Committee), District Coordinator of the Lohia Swachh Mission (Rural), District Coordinator of ITC's 'Sunhera Kal' initiative, and NCC JCO Vimala Kumari—who jointly lit the ceremonial lamp. Following the lamp-lighting ceremony, the guests were felicitated, and the program's official poster was unveiled by the dignitaries present. In the third session of the program, the winning participants of the painting and "Ganga Gyan" (Ganga Knowledge) competitions were jointly awarded by the District Magistrate of Bhojpur and the Deputy Development Commissioner. In his address, the District Magistrate emphasized the need for active community participation in ensuring the cleanliness and conservation of the River Ganga and other water sources, as well as the sustainable utilization of water resources; he further highlighted water conservation as a critical global imperative of the present times. The District Project Officer of the District Ganga Committee, Bhojpur, announced that from March 16 to March 31, 2026, various activities—including sanitation drives, water conservation pledges, street plays, tree plantation drives, public awareness programs, and competitions in colleges—are being organized across the district near various water bodies. Today, these activities were observed as a special commemorative day.