Two beach clean-up drives organised after visarjan

Every year, the end of Ganesh Chaturthi is heralded by great celebrations and festivities as idols are immersed in sea. However, the next morning reveals beaches strewn with litter, and rather worse for wear.

In a bid to lessen the damage caused, Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), along with 700 students from 13 schools, got together at Girgaum Chowpatty and Juhu Beach on Tuesday morning.

Even before the clean up, the students were sensitised to the need for eco-friendly Ganesh idols, and were encouraged to create awareness among their peers, family and community. Some have even made eco-friendly idols to reduce pollution.

Commenting on the initiative, Vinodini Lulla, managing trustee, CMCA, said,"Our organisation instills values of active citizenship and democracy in children and youths. Participating in the beach clean-up is one of the many initiatives we encourage our children to be a part of. Through this, children and the community are sensitised and made aware about the role of a responsible citizen in a democracy."

The Rotaract Club of KC college, Churchgate, too organised a similar beach-cleaning exercise at Girgaum Chowpatty on Tuesday, after the much-adored Lalbaugcha Raja's visarjan. Several youngsters volunteered to participate in the campaign to ensure the chowpatty and its environs were made clean and garbage-free a day after the visarjan.