Thanks to prime minister Narendra Modi's call to Non Resident Indians (NRIs) to become a part of campaign to clean Ganga, NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and researchers from across world are making a beeline to do their bit for the Ganga. Many NRIs are coming forward to not just donate money or spread awareness but for also adopting Ganga's ghats.
"Hundreds of emails from NRI's from across the world have come till now. They want to donate their time, money and expertise for Ganga Campaign and such enthusiasm is very encouraging. Besides money, they are also offering to help with technology involved," a top level official of the water resources ministry told dna. The official revealed that many among them want to adopt ghats especially in Varanasi, bring technology and expertise for the cleaning work. The ministry, however, is a little careful in giving anyone a go ahead to use their technology as a pilot project on Ganga as they feel too many experimental project can derail the whole campaign.
The e-mails and requests are coming to the National Mission on Clean Ganga (NMCG)- the nodal authority looking after the mammoth work of rejuvenating Ganga. The Government has also already opened an account with the State Bank of India where people can donate money.
The official further said NRIs were an important support base for BJP and especially Modi and idea of launching a clean Ganga fund aimed at involving them has become quite successful.
"Besides NRI's coming forward, researchers are also coming forward. For instance, a consortium of universities from Canada wants to take up research projects and is even ready to bring own research fund," the official added.
As per an other senior water resource ministry officials it is not that government does not have money for the project. "But PM's idea is to involve more and more people in the campaign even if they can't contribute any money. Call to NRIs and invitation to people across India is part of that strategy only," a senior official said.
Interestingly, the ministry is also looking at options where a group of people who have smaller amounts to donate can come together to adopt one particular area or ghat of Ganga. "It's like a crowd funding scheme where people come together to own a project. It is just to involve as many people as involved. Simply saying government or authorities alone can't clean Ganga even in next 100 years. Thus participation of people is of utmost importance," the official further added.
It was also learnt that even in India, host of celebrities have expressed interest to government to become a part of the campaign.
"There are more than 10 such personalities including from bollywood or industrialists from abroad. The awareness campaign for instance could soon have a big name as it ambassador for promoting it and endorsing it," the senior official further said.
The ambitious 'Ganga Action Plan' to clean the river was launched by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985.
But as a 2012 parliamentary committee report notes, "Starting from VIII five year Plan [1992-1997] onwards, an amount of Rs. 39,225.95 crores has been incurred on the Ganga Action Plan-II. The cumulative total expenditure on Ganga Action-II including the expenditure incurred under NGRBA [National Ganga River Basin Authority] and Mahananda Action Plan amounts to Rs. 2,20,919.43 crores."
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