Haridwar: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) will host the much-anticipated Ganga Utsav 2024 on November 4 at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar. This event commemorates the annual anniversary of the Ganga River’s designation as India’s ‘National River’ and marks the eighth edition of the festival, being held for the first time on the riverbanks. The festival aims to celebrate Ganga’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy, raise public awareness about river conservation, and promote cleanliness.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, will inaugurate the central event, which is expected to be attended by prominent personalities, including Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, and Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti Debashree Mukherjee. Other distinguished guests from both Union and State Governments will also be present, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The event includes a flag-off for the upcoming 50-day Ganga Women Rafting Expedition in collaboration with the BSF. This expedition will span nine major cities along the Ganga River and coincide with activities across five Ganga basin states. The event will be celebrated across 139 districts, with District Ganga Committees leading local initiatives. Each state in the basin will also host a central event to mark the occasion.
This year’s Ganga Utsav will be highlighted as a model event under the River City Alliance, which comprises 145 cities across India. The alliance works to promote river-sensitive urban planning, aiming for water-secure, pollution-free cities. The festival will highlight the cultural and spiritual importance of rivers, encouraging communities to connect with Ganga’s conservation efforts.
Noteworthy sessions include “Ganga Samvad,” featuring discussions among religious, spiritual, and cultural leaders to inspire youth towards river conservation, along with a technical session on river rejuvenation led by experts. Various activities will engage children and youth in river conservation, from quizzes and painting contests to puppet shows, Nukkad Nataks, and film screenings.
The festival will also showcase an exhibition on the Namami Gange initiative, featuring stalls and a program titled “Ghat Par Haat,” along with a small food festival to celebrate the culinary diversity of the region. An interactive exhibition will narrate the journey of Ganga, bringing attention to the dynamic heritage and historical significance of India’s sacred river.
Through Ganga Utsav 2024, NMCG aims to deepen public connection with the river, fostering a collective commitment to restore Ganga to its pristine state.
