OFFICIAL UNMOVED DESPITE BEING ALERTED

OFFICIAL UNMOVED DESPITE BEING ALERTED

31-OCT-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA----------------------------The fervor and preparations for Chhath Puja—a major festival of faith—are in full swing across Bihar. A critical concern during this festival is the condition of the 'Chhath Ghats' (ponds). While the government makes grand claims about cleanliness, the ground reality tells a different story.

One such concerning case has emerged from a pond near Karmanasha Bazaar, located in the Durgavati block of Kaimur district. With the festival of Chhath fast approaching, the condition of this significant, historic pond remains deplorable—verging on hellish. The pond is littered with heaps of garbage, overgrown with water hyacinth, and the water has become severely contaminated. Local villagers and members of the Chhath Puja Committee allege that they have repeatedly informed the responsible block-level officials about the situation via telephone. However, the officials have remained completely indifferent. Despite these calls, the authorities have paid no heed, and no concrete steps have been taken to clean the *ghat* (riverbank/pond edge). This apathy and lack of concern from the officials have sparked significant outrage among the local residents and those observing the Chhath fast.

The villagers point out that hundreds of devotees observing the Chhath fast will enter this very pond to offer *arghya* (oblations) to the Sun God. Under such conditions, how can the rituals be performed amidst so much filth? Beyond the risk of infectious diseases from the contaminated water, the poor condition of the *ghat* also poses a constant danger of accidents.