Pune, 4th September 2024: A unique program called ‘Yuvkanchya Manatla Ganesh Utsav’ (Ganesh Utsav in the Minds of Youth) was held last night. Young activists from Mandals in the Central Areas of the city filled the Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Auditorium in Sadashiv Peth.
The event was organized to allow activists to interact directly with senior police officers. Ganesh Mandal activist Raghavendra alias Bapu Mankar created this new platform for young activists to engage with the administration for the first time.
Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Pravin Kumar Patil began the program and urged, “I am here to listen to you and provide positive suggestions to overcome the difficulties of the festival.” He responded spontaneously as numerous activists presented the problems they faced during the festival. Patil offered useful suggestions and expressed his views on how activists can cooperate, suggesting various solutions.
Activists made suggestions on various points, such as traffic congestion during the Ganesh festival, the need for increased police presence on routes during the Visarjan procession, and police cooperation to facilitate the movement of mandals. They also requested the provision of sanitary facilities for women.
Additional CP Patil said, “Activists are also like policemen. They should take responsibility for traffic control in the Mandal area and adjacent intersections. Police officers and key activists should plan together. We will hold a meeting with the Ganesh Mandals passing through Tilak Road during the Visarjan procession. We will also discuss plans with the groups passing through Kelkar Road and Kumthekar Road. We are considering providing parking facilities on school grounds.”
President of the Dhol Tasha Federation, Parag Thakur, urged youth workers to enhance Ganesh Utsav, following Lokmanya Tilak’s tradition. Raghavendra Mankar highlighted the positive public sentiment towards Ganesh Mandal workers for their support during the pandemic and introduced the platform ‘Ganeshotsav in the minds of youth’ for better communication with officials.
Senior Police Inspector Vijaymala Pawar from Vishrambaug Police Station encouraged Ganesh Mandal workers to report local issues for resolution and stressed cooperation for a smooth celebration while maintaining traffic management.