Central Range IG Urges Citizens to Celebrate Safe, Peaceful and Green Ganesh Puja
IG Dr Satyajit Nayak, IPS
Cuttack, Odisha/Sep 15 : Ahead of Ganesh Puja celebrations, Central Range Inspector General of Police Dr Satyajit Nayak, IPS, has appealed to citizens, puja committees, volunteers and community leaders to celebrate the festival with devotion while giving priority to public safety, communal harmony and environmental protection.
In his appeal, Dr Nayak said that Ganesh Puja is not merely a religious festival but also an occasion to strengthen the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect among people from different communities.
He urged citizens to ensure that the celebrations remain peaceful, inclusive and respectful towards all sections of society. He also appealed to the public to refrain from rumours, provocative messages, inflammatory statements and any activity that could disturb communal harmony.
Dr Nayak particularly called upon citizens to use social media responsibly and avoid sharing unverified information that could create misunderstanding or tension.
Emphasis on Safe Bhasani
The Central Range IG stressed the importance of safety during Ganesh Puja celebrations, particularly during the Bhasani/Visarjan ceremony.
He urged puja committees and devotees to conduct idol immersion only at designated and safe locations and advised citizens not to enter deep or unsafe water bodies. Children and elderly persons should be kept away from hazardous areas during immersion, he said.
Puja committees and volunteers have also been urged to cooperate with the police and administration in managing crowds, traffic and processions. Processions should follow designated routes and maintain discipline to ensure that emergency services and the movement of the general public are not disrupted.
“No celebration is complete if safety is compromised,” Dr Nayak said, stressing the need for a safe, peaceful and dignified Bhasani.
Call for Green Ganesh Puja
Dr Nayak also appealed to citizens to make the festival more environmentally friendly by opting for eco-friendly idols, preferably made from natural clay, and avoiding harmful materials and paints that can pollute rivers, ponds and other water bodies.
He urged puja organisers and citizens to minimise the use of single-use plastic and promote reusable, recyclable and environmentally friendly materials for decorations and community events.
Proper collection and disposal of flowers, decorations and other waste after the celebrations should also be ensured, he said.
“Celebrate with devotion, but not at the cost of our environment,” was his message to the public.
Appeal to Control Noise and Pollution
The IG further urged citizens and puja committees to ensure that celebrations do not cause unnecessary noise and pollution.
He called upon organisers to follow the applicable regulations relating to loudspeakers, sound levels and timings. Unnecessary use of firecrackers and other activities contributing to pollution should also be avoided.
He noted that responsible celebrations should take into consideration children, senior citizens, patients, animals and other members of the community who may be adversely affected by excessive noise.
Youth Urged to Take the Lead
Dr Nayak highlighted the important role of young people in making Ganesh Puja safe, green and harmonious.
He encouraged youth volunteers to participate in cleanliness drives, traffic awareness programmes, crowd management and environmental campaigns. Puja committees can also use the occasion to spread awareness about safe celebrations, environmental protection and communal harmony.
The initiatives, he said, can promote the messages of “Safe Puja – Safe Bhasani”, “Green Ganesh – Clean Environment” and “Harmony Among Communities.”
Collective Responsibility
The Central Range IG called upon citizens, puja committees, volunteers, community leaders and youth organisations to work collectively with the police and administration to ensure peaceful and responsible celebrations.
He said that enthusiasm and devotion should go hand in hand with discipline, compassion and civic responsibility.
The festival, he added, should strengthen communal harmony, protect the environment and ensure the safety of every devotee.
Dr Nayak extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of Ganesh Puja and expressed hope that the celebrations would set an example of peace, unity, safety and environmental responsibility.
Safe Ganesh Puja. Safe Bhasani. Strong Communal Harmony. Green and Clean Celebration.
