121 villages in Satara taluka opt for Dolby-free Ganeshotsav

Ganeshotsav usually means the din of dhol-tasha, lights and festivity. But this year, Satara taluka police have tried to give the festival a new and positive direction by adding discipline, social responsibility and environmental concern to the celebrations. In the area under the Satara taluka police station, led by Police Inspector Nilesh Tambe, the sound of Dolby systems is noticeably lower this year.

The police administration's awareness campaign has received overwhelming support from villages. A total of 95 villages have adopted the "one village, one Ganpati" initiative. Notably, 121 of the 153 villages in Satara taluka have decided to celebrate a Dolby-free Ganeshotsav. Police Inspector Nilesh Tambe appealed to various Ganeshotsav mandals, and the response, with 121 of 153 mandals extending support, has become an example for the entire district.

This change was made possible under the guidance of District Superintendent of Police Nikhil Pingale, Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Vaishali Kadukar and DySP Vipul Patil. Before Ganeshotsav began, Police Inspector Nilesh Tambe gathered police patils and office-bearers of Ganeshotsav mandals from various villages and explained the harmful health effects of Dolby sound systems.

At a meeting of Ganeshotsav mandal office-bearers in Satara held by Additional Superintendent of Police Vaishali Kadukar, several people raised the issue of permission for four-bass Dolby systems. Dr Kadukar replied that permission for even more bass could be granted, but on one condition: wherever a Dolby system was to be played, the elders of the household would first have to be brought and seated there, and only then could it be played. On hearing this, the entire hall fell silent. Following this, workers from several mandals in Satara taluka took the matter seriously and gave Dolby systems no entry.

The Satara taluka police station's jurisdiction covers a total of 153 villages and 389 Ganeshotsav mandals. Ahead of Ganeshotsav, the police administration had spoken with mandals, villagers and office-bearers in various villages and appealed for a peaceful, disciplined celebration carrying a social message. The impact of this awareness campaign, led by Police Inspector Nilesh Tambe, is now clearly visible.

Last year, 71 villages in the taluka had adopted the "one village, one Ganpati" initiative. This year, that number has risen to 95 villages. By installing a single public Ganpati idol in each village, the effort aims to reduce unnecessary rivalry, expenditure and crowding during the festival, while also strengthening bonds among villagers.