Is that a Dignified farewell to Lord Ganesha ..?

Mumbai's most popular festival, Ganesh Chathurthi came to an end onThursday. Several thousands of Ganesh idols were immersed in various beaches in Mumbai. We all are in the celebration mood and worship lord Ganesha with so much devotion but when it comes to bid farewell to the lord, we do all kinds of activity which must be really hurting to the lord.

A pray to lord- we do for peace, prosperity and what not but when it comes to take care of his world we don't even think twice to destroy it. The aftereffect of this festival could be seen in various beaches with piled up Plaster of Paris (POP) idols flowers, cardboards, materials used for puja,plastic bags and litters.

It is here that we like minded people came together to give a helping hand for a dignified farewell to our lord by doing our bit in keeping the Mother Nature clean.

More than 150 enthusiastic employees of my office joined hands with BMC in cleaning Juhu Beach during the morning hours of 4th Sept2009 on working day. Ganesha Idols, non-biodegradable materials, cardboards etc were removed in large quantities by the Volunteers to clean the JUHU beach and contributed our bit under "Save our Beach" campaign.

Things are changing in a year. Last year, i was just putting comments on someone's blog that we shouldn't support Ganpati Visargan activity(or support Eco-friendly Ganpati) and don't not allow anybody to pollute our natural resources. This year, I got a chance to do a bit of action(rather just to comment) to save our beaches. Thank you GOD...!!!

Navaratri Nostalgia

Navaratri- festival of Ten Ratris :). All over the world, Gujaratis are well-known for their Navratri Garba. The celebration for this festival has started due to triumph of good over evil. Looking at the presence scenarios, sardonically speaking, we need more festivals as there are many evils around. Year on year, this festival celebration is getting very pompous and losing its actual prosperity. It lost its old taste of real Garba. Because there are media, filmy actors/singers and big banners have started involving and have started using all remix/filmy songs. It’s a good chance to see Garba in small-towns or villages where it's originality intact.
During Navaratri, in every society/sheri/galley, everyone gather at night time and offer Aarti to "Ambe Mata". After that there is a prasad distribution to all. During a hometown visit, I got a chance to attend Aarti. There is always a competition among children to participate in prasad distribution as to it’s a very applausive task for them. Looking at this children, reminds me childhood days. We actually had a very big gang in those days. During Navaratri, we made the small temple using clay and rocks, than decorated with different colors of lights, automatic fountain, established the idol of mataji and lot more. Indeed it’s a wonderful artwork. Also, we all were very enthusiastic in prasad distribution activity. After distribution to gathered people, we were going to each and every home in society for those who were not able to join for the Aarti. While moving from one home to another, we all children were eating up 2-3 prasad pieces as it’s just another kind of sweets for us. At times, it happened that it was a dinner for us when many different variety of prasad available :). It seems very naughty to others. But believe me at that time we were having great joy and fun when everyone from children gang involved. What a wonderful days of my life.. !!
Today while looking at these children, they seem to be very genuine and innocent, but you never know :)