Prayagraj: During the Paush Purnima bathing festival at the Maha Kumbh, a large contingent of Ganga Sevadoots played a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of the sacred ghats. As soon as the flowers offered by devotees during worship were seen on the ghats, these dedicated volunteers immediately removed them, ensuring the river remained pure. Around 2000 Ganga Sevadoots were deployed across the ghats in all sectors, performing the essential task of keeping the Ganga and Yamuna clean. These volunteers had been thoroughly trained by the fair administration to handle their responsibilities effectively. On the first day of Maha Kumbh, the Ganga Sevadoots remained stationed at their designated positions, maintaining their focus on the sacred task of preserving the sanctity of the rivers.
Additionally, the young men and women from the Scout and Guide teams were also an integral part of the cleaning effort. These volunteers were seen working diligently on the ghats as part of a self-service initiative. Arif, a Scout and Guide volunteer from Sonbhadra, shared that his team, which also included scouts and guides from Mirzapur and Varanasi, had been stationed at the Kumbh since January 9. A total of 91 volunteers are working in this sector, with proper training provided for their roles. Over the course of the festival, 10,200 Scouts and Guides are expected to contribute their services, with 250 volunteers rotating in every week. Arrangements for their accommodation and meals have been made in Sector 6 by the administration.
The police also played an active role in maintaining the flow and cleanliness of the ghats. A large number of police officers were stationed at the ghats to ensure the devotees did not linger too long after their sacred dip. Their task was to guide the crowd, ensuring that there was enough space for the next group of devotees. The officers encouraged bathers to leave the ghats promptly, helping to maintain order and cleanliness for the ongoing influx of devotees.
In the midst of the festival’s fervor, the crowd also displayed a light-hearted spirit, with many eager devotees lining up for selfies with cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The festive atmosphere was palpable, as people expressed their devotion in various ways while the administration worked tirelessly to maintain cleanliness, order, and the sanctity of the event.
