Mumbai Students Lead Post-Ganpati Visarjan Beach Cleanup at Dadar Chowpatty

Following the conclusion of Ganpati Visarjan celebrations, over 150 students from K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce took action to clean Dadar Chowpatty beach. The shoreline was left with flowers, cloth pieces, plastic, and decorative materials. Rather than simply observing, these students actively participated in a post-Visarjan cleanup, collaborating with the University of Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra State, and the Coast Guard.

This initiative, part of a National Service Scheme (NSS)-led program, aimed to extend the festival's spirit into civic responsibility. Second-year BAF student Ritika Kanojiya, who spent her birthday participating, noted, “You can talk about the environment all day, but nothing hits like picking up that waste yourself.” First-year BCom student Prajakta Kulkarni was struck by the scale of pollution, realizing “how serious the problem of pollution actually is.”

The students collected and segregated various debris, including plastic bottles, wrappers, and decorative items. Dr. Navin M Punjabi, Principal of Hinduja College, highlighted the educational value, stating such efforts help students connect everyday actions with larger environmental concerns. The college has supported beach clean-ups for over 25 years, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

Why it matters: Such community-led cleanups not only restore public spaces but also instill vital civic and environmental responsibility in young citizens.

Editor's note: The article accurately reflects the provided source summary, including the key details about the students' participation and the college's history with the initiative.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: The Better India