The 9^th edition of Ganga Utsav was celebrated by National Mission for Clean Ganga under the aegis of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with focus on partnership. A series of events were organized in collaboration with various partners with focus on knowledge, research and people’s participation devoted to the cause of river rejuvenation. It has included events like an international conference to address the emerging issues, a riverathon to ideate with young minds and a grassroot event to strengthen the river people connect. The grassroot main event was celebrated with great joy, devotion, and collective responsibility at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, bringing together officials, students, and stakeholders to highlight ongoing efforts toward Ganga conservation.

Organized in honour of the life-giving Maa Ganga, the event witnessed the presence of Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, as the chief guest, alongwith senior officials of NMCG, the District Ganga Committee, representatives from Ayodhya, students, and members of the public, whose enthusiastic participation made the celebration memorable.

The programme began with the offering of sacred Jal Kalash—symbolising gratitude and a collective prayer to Maa Ganga—followed by cultural segments, youth participation, and short film screenings showcasing Ayodhya’s rejuvenation efforts, reinforcing the belief that the Ganga is not merely a river but the nation’s lifeline and cultural soul.

Shri V.L. Kantha Rao delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that one-third of the Ministry’s work is dedicated solely to River Ganga. He highlighted that the Ganga basin spans 11 states, nearly 100 major cities and 150 districts, supporting almost half of India’s population and economy. He noted that more than 10,000 rivers are connected to the Ganga system, underscoring its immense ecological significance. He also reiterated the importance of the National Mission for Clean Ganga—one of the Government of India’s major flagship programmes directly reviewed by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Commending Ayodhya as a model city for effective sewage and drain management, Shri V.L. Kantha Rao stressed the need for strong inter-departmental coordination and active community participation through groups such as Ganga Praharis to ensure all drains entering the river are treated. The event also included cultural programs by local artists focusing on river rejuvenation and interaction of senior officers with Ganga Praharis, fish ranching and a detailed presentation on Urban River Management Plan for Ayodhya. The event also showcased the work done by Ayodhya administration for rejuvenation of small rivers.

The event witnessed the release of two significant publications—‘Status of Waterbirds in the Ganga River Basin’ and ‘Status of Island Nesting Report’ —offering valuable insights into the region’s ecological health.

Ganga Utsav Celebrations at Amity University, Noida

At Amity School of Engineering and Technology, Ganga Utsav was celebrated in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the theme “Voices and Rhythms of River: Technical and Cultural Expressions.” The event was graced by senior officers of NMCG who highlighted the importance of scientific planning, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative partnerships in river rejuvenation. He emphasized NMCG’s integrated approach—from LiDAR and drone-based assessments to dashboards, water quality monitoring, and urban river management plans—and encouraged young innovators participating in Riverathon to contribute implementable solutions.

As part of the celebration, several important resources were released, including Preventing Solid Waste Flow into Water: A Comprehensive Guide to Analysis and Reporting, The Colors of Ganga – A Children’s Art Tribute, and the LiDAR Data Release for Riverathon 1.0 participants. The event also showcased a cultural programme titled “Rhythms of River: Cultural Expression,” celebrating the collective reverence for the Ganga.

RHAR 2025 Conference at IIT (BHU), Varanasi

The RHAR 2025 Conference held in IIT BHU Varanasi further enriched the celebrations with insightful discussions on advancing river health assessment and strengthening scientific approaches for river rejuvenation in India. Experts, academicians, and policymakers outlined priorities for sustainable river management and integrated restoration practices.

Shri Anup Kumar Srivastava Executive Director (Technical) chaired the technical session on “Groundwater Management for Small River Rejuvenation,” emphasizing data-driven decision-making, integrated groundwater–surface water frameworks, and innovative assessment tools. He also inaugurated a book on emerging contaminants authored by the SLCR team. An exhibition of photographs, posters, models, and student presentations—from Class IX to undergraduate level—showcased creative ideas and a strong youth commitment to river conservation.

The celebrations across locations concluded with meaningful stakeholder interactions marks a unified nationwide effort dedicated to the protection and rejuvenation of the sacred Ganga.

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