Mumbai Ganesh pandals double as govt scheme awareness hubs under 'Loksamvad 2026'
In Mumbai suburban district, Ganesh mandaps are being used to inform devotees about government schemes and services under a new initiative
Mumbai suburban district is seeing an unusual initiative this Ganeshotsav. The Information and Public Relations Department has launched a campaign called 'Loksamvad 2026', which combines devotion with social awareness. Given the large crowds visiting Ganesh mandaps for darshan, these mandaps have been turned into platforms for sharing information about government schemes. This means people can get information about various government schemes and services at the same place where they come for Ganesh darshan. The initiative has received a good response from people in Mumbai suburban district.
The campaign is not limited to just providing information about schemes. People are also being told about eligibility for a scheme, where and how to apply, what documents are needed, which government office to approach, and how to avail the facilities on offer. In this way, the campaign is helping bridge the information gap between government schemes and the general public.
Information was also provided about the various government services and facilities available for youth, students, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Young people looking for jobs were guided about opportunities related to skill development, employment and entrepreneurship, and were urged to make use of these opportunities.
To implement 'Loksamvad 2026' effectively, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations worked together with the Social Welfare department, the Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship department, and the Revenue department. Departmental liaison officers Brijkishore Jhanwar and Sanjay Orke coordinated the campaign by visiting various Ganesh mandals.
During the campaign, village revenue officer Ghoshita Gosavi, additional project officer at the Social Welfare office Nandana Gajbhiye, taluka coordinator Ananda Kamble, samatadoot Siddharth Shirsat, and district coordinator of the District Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Guidance Centre Paresh Apandkar interacted directly with people.
With support from Mumbai suburban district collector Saurabh Katiyar and district planning officer Prashant Bhamre, the 'Loksamvad 2026' campaign has been scaled up across Mumbai suburban district. By making positive use of people's participation in Ganeshotsav, the initiative is proving successful in taking information about government schemes, services and facilities directly to the people.
The campaign involved Raja Mahaganapati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Ashapura, Bandra East, whose office bearers are president Arun Devendra, treasurer Mangesh Konar and secretary Vinay Kadtal; Raja Shastrinagar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Shastrinagar, Bandra East, whose office bearers are president Santosh Gade, treasurer Sudarshan Konda and secretary Babu Vemula; and Sarvajanik Shri Ganeshotsav Mandal, Shaskiya Vasahat, Bandra East, whose office bearers are president Rajesh Jadhav, vice-president Nilesh Jadhav, general secretary Eknath Jadhav, treasurer Dashrath Naik and co-treasurer Ratna Naik. By combining the devotional atmosphere of Ganeshotsav with awareness of government schemes, 'Loksamvad 2026' has turned Ganesh mandaps into centres of dialogue, information and guidance.
