VASCO
The Nirmalya campaign, which began as an out-of-the-box initiative 10 years ago, has been well received by Ganesh devotees who voluntarily offer their Nirmalya to be disposed of scientifically and this year, 2.8 tonnes of Nirmalya were collected as the 7-day Visarjan ended in Vasco.
The Nirmalya, comprising flowers, grains, leaves, garlands and other items placed on the Ganesh idol, would earlier be immersed along with the Ganesh idol in water bodies.
A large number of volunteers were seen moving around at all Visarjan sites in Vasco, Baina and New Vaddem to collect the Nirmalya while some people voluntarily offered their Nirmalya at collection centres.
Former MPDA chairman Krishna Daji Salkar, a founder member of the Nirmalya Campaign, told reporters that a large number of volunteers had joined the campaign this year.
"This is the third round of our Nirmalya collection after the 2-day and 5-day visarjan ceremonies from all three sites at Baina, Kharewada and Vaddem lake. Each time, we collected around 900 kgs and by now, we have crossed over 2,800 tonnes of Nirmalya collection.”
“Residents fully supported us and contributed to a green environment and clean water bodies. I also thank Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho and Urban Development Minister Milind Naik for providing us with labourers and infrastructure to set up collection centres," said Salkar.
