Bokaro’s Damodar Mahotsav coincides with Ganga Dussehra, promoting environmental stewardship and celebrating the cleaner, pollution-free Damodar River.
BOKARO – In alignment with Ganga Dussehra, the Damodar Mahotsav was celebrated in different areas of Bokaro district on the banks of the Damodar River.
This included numerous locations such as the Jarangdih Phusro Hindustan bridge in Bermo, where priests conducted aarti and floated lamps to cleanse the river’s environment.
Shravan Singh, district convenor of the Damodar Bachao movement, explained that the annual Mahotsav serves dual purposes: it honors the religious significance of Ganga Dussehra and promotes the conservation of the Damodar River. The primary goal is to ensure the cleanliness and pollution-free state of the river.
Singh credited the efforts initiated by Saryu Roy, which began several years ago during a Ganga Mahotsav, for the visible improvements in the river’s condition.
Previous pollution from local industries has now been significantly reduced, resulting in cleaner water in the Damodar River.
In conjunction with the Mahotsav, the Bharat Swachhata Abhiyan campaign was also promoted, further encouraging the local community to engage in cleanliness and environmental conservation initiatives.
Local agency District Coordinator Kalyani Kumari and Paryavaran Sakhi members Rekha Jyoti Devi, Nupur Devi, and Sita Devi conducted meetings to raise awareness and inspire residents to maintain a pollution-free environment.
Surajmal Nayak, the convenor of Damodar Bachao Andolan Khetko, Jarangdih, voiced his optimism about the future, noting the river’s vastly improved condition and pledging a commitment to preserving its cleanliness.
