Mission Adi Ganga: Hundreds join Art of Living's massive river revival drive in Kolkata

The initiative brought together hundreds of The Art of Living volunteers, youth, public representatives and community leaders in a shared commitment towards protecting and rejuvenating Kolkata’s heritage. 

Inspired by the vision of global humanitarian and spiritual leader, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar , the campaign sought to strengthen public awareness about the ecological, historical and spiritual significance of Adi Ganga while encouraging community participation in its conservation and rejuvenation.

The campaign commenced on June 5 with large-scale cleanliness and awareness drive, flagged off by the Kolkata Municipal Commissioner, Smt. Smita Pandey.

She commented on the initiative, “The work being done for the Adi Ganga is extremely important for all of us and deeply meaningful to Kolkata. I am glad that The Art of Living has joined this mission. Through sustained collective efforts, we can revive the Adi Ganga and help people can enjoy boating and reconnect with this historic waterway once again.”

Photo: PR Team

Hundreds of The Art of Living volunteers , youth leaders, local residents, and civic representatives joined hands to clean the riverbanks and engage with nearby communities on responsible waste management, pollution prevention, and sustainable environmental practices. Students from Sri Sri Academy also were participated enthusiastically in this campaign. A public pledge for river conservation was administered, encouraging participants to adopt environmentally responsible habits and actively contribute towards keeping rivers and public spaces clean.

The event also featured soulful Bhajan and Jamming Session at Sadar Ghat which witnessed the participation of over 100 people and created a vibrant atmosphere of devotion, music and community engagement.

As part of its broader environmental commitment, The Art of Living, in association with the West Bengal Forest Department, also carried out a mangrove plantation drive at Gosaba, Sundarbans under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.

Over 300 mangrove saplings were planted on the opening day, contributing to the organization's ongoing mission of ecological restoration. The initiative forms part of The Art of Living's ambitious goal of planting one lakh trees across the Sundarbans region during the year.

The momentum continued on June 6 with another dedicated cleanliness campaign along the banks of the Adi Ganga. Volunteers from diverse walks of life participated enthusiastically, removing waste from the riverfront and spreading awareness among local residents about the need for continuous community-led action to restore the waterway.

The concluding day, June 7 , witnessed another large-scale cleaning and awareness drive in the morning, graced by Cabinet Ministers Swapan Dasgupta and Dr. Indranil Khan.

They have appreciated the efforts of the volunteers and highlighted the importance of preserving India's cultural and environmental heritage through collective action.

Purnima Chakraborty, Hon'ble Minister of State, Government of West Bengal , also joined the initiative and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of citizens, youth and volunteers in the Adi Ganga conservation movement.

The campaign culminated in the evening with a spiritually uplifting Adi Ganga Puja and Ganga Aarti at Sadar Ghat. Participants joined in offering prayers and expressing a shared commitment towards the protection and rejuvenation of the historic river.

The Ganga Aarti transformed the riverfront into a vibrant space of devotion, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness, symbolizing the deep connection between people, nature, and heritage.

Photo: PR Team

During the last three days, more than 230 volunteers have taken part in the campaign, helping remove over 200 kilograms of waste from the riverbanks. To encourage proper disposal of flowers and ritual offerings, more than 50 dustbins were provided to nearby temples, while over 100 saplings were distributed and planted as part of the environmental initiative.

As Kolkata continues its journey towards river conservation and urban ecological renewal, The Art of Living remains committed to supporting initiatives that inspire citizens to take responsibility for protecting rivers, preserving heritage, and creating a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy and commitment that the Art of Living has always brought to their every project. This initiative reflects those strengths very well. The focus now is to give it a clear direction so that its impact can be further enhanced.

"Namami Gange has invested over ₹600 crore in this project , and a proper audit would show that the outcomes are commensurate with the investment made. The Art of Living’s efforts have played an important role in this success . The aim should be to make the initiative even more effective. Above all, sustained commitment will remain key to its continued progress.

"With the support of KMC and the State Government , efforts are also being planned for the holistic development of the Kalighat area, creating better social and economic opportunities for the local community," Swapan Dasgupta commented on The Art of Living's initiative .

Dr. Khan spoke about the cultural and global importance of the Kalighat temple , located on the banks of the Adi Ganga . He said the river should be cleaned and restored in a planned way so people can enjoy boating here.

He noted that long-term pollution has left the Adi Ganga in an unhealthy and unhygienic state, affecting local people. He welcomed joint efforts by the government and The Art of Living , saying such work supports environmental improvement and public welfare.

He also appreciated The Art of Living’s role in the Namami Gange mission , adding that if river restoration is possible in places like Varanasi , it should also be possible here.

“ Kolkata, Adi Ganga is Maa’s sacred stream. For generations, she has carried our prayers, our faith, and our heritage. Today, it is our turn to care for her. Let us come together to restore her purity, protect her legacy, and preserve this priceless heritage for future generations. Keep Adi Ganga sacred. Keep her clean”.