Ahead of Kumbh Mela, authorities bank on kids for a clean Godavari

Thousands of children from 40 schools in Nashik took oath as 'Godavari Wardens' to spread the message of keeping the city and the river clean. A drive, titled Mission Go Green Godavari (Mission G3), was launched on Wednesday in the presence of Kumbh Mela and water resources minister Girish Mahajan.

Emphasising the importance of a plastic-free world, Mahajan said, "Plastic is polluting rivers and water sources. It is imperative that we should minimise its use in our lives." He coaxed the children to reach the message to every household and expressed hope that the Godavari wardens would be successful in their mission.

The minister added that the Kumbh Mela, which will be celebrated between July 14 and September 25, will attract people from all over the world, and it was the prime responsibility of every citizen to keep the city clean.

Authorities overseeing Kumbh Mela preparations said that the students would act as door-to-door messengers between April 15 and April 17. "Every student is expected to visit 20 homes a day. In three days, the drive aims to reach the message of cleanliness and a plastic-free city to at least one lakh families," said an official, adding that the students will also distribute cloth bags among the masses.

Kumbh Mela is one of the hallowed festivals of India and is organized at a big scale. This year, it will be celebrated at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, where one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Triyambakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple, is situated. Kumbh in Nashik is celebrated once in every 12 years and is known as Sinhasta.