Pune: 80 Percent Ganesh Idols Immersed At Homes

Mrunal Jadhav

Pune, September 3, 2020: Due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID19) outbreak, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had appealed to Punekars to immerse the Ganesh idol at home or donate the idol. The citizens of Pune responded enthusiastically, 80 percent of households Ganpatis were immersed within homes, while the PMC collected 55,000 idols.

For the Ganesh immersion, 14,000 kilograms ammonium bicarbonate powder was distributed from 214 centres, while 55,549 idols were collected at 191 idol collection centres. Most of the people of Pune used ammonium bicarbonate to immerse the idols in the house.

Also, 112 mobile tanks were made available through the initiative of 15 field offices, solid waste management department and some corporators. A total of 61,708 idols were immersed in these tanks.

Volunteers of Dhol-Tasha troupes participated in the eco-friendly Ganesh immersion campaign, implemented by the PMC to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease. 600 young musicians from Swa-Roopwardheeni and other drum troupes were part of this campaign. These volunteers were present at 72 Ganesh idol collection centres, eight mobile tanks in seven ward offices. They also distributed ammonium bicarbonate powder, collected flowers, garlands, etc, stopped people from immersing the Ganesh idol in the river. 

As there was no immersion procession this year, the youths from the Dhol-Tasha troupe went to the restricted area through ‘Swa-Roopwardheeni’ and worked enthusiastically in the environmentally friendly Ganesh immersion campaign. There was spontaneous participation of young musicians from Ramanbagh, Shri Ram Pathak and Dnyan Prabodhini and 12 other groups. The campaign was planned by Ashok Ingwale, Prashant Tambe, Amol Shelar and Rahul Paygude of Swa-Roopwardheeni.

Ganpati immersion statistics

-Immersion of 1,62,328 idols

-82,551 idols immersed in tanks

-79,777 idols collected

– Distribution of 122 metric tonne Ammonium Bicarbonate