Ganga rejuvenation cannot be modelled on foreign rivers:Bharti

Despite getting several international offers, rejuvenation of Ganga cannot be modelled on foreign rivers as the river has cultural and religious significance, Water Minister Uma Bharti said today.
She pointed out that crores of people take a dip in the river while there were several persons who ran small businesses along its banks and said these people have a major role in the Clean Ganga Mission.
"We have offers from international agencies who are ready to support in cleaning of Ganga. They are ready to help us with funds, technological measures and other expertise. But Ganga has a unique character. It is not like like any other river like Thames in London," Bharti said releasing a booklet on the achievements of her ministry in the last one year.

She informed that her ministry is in talks with several countries like Germany, China, Nepal, Bangladesh for cooperation to clean Ganga with Australia even promising to extend all technological support.
"People take a dip in Ganga for its cultural and religious significance. Every year around 20 to 30 crore people from all over the world take a dip in Ganga. So, we have to be careful in taking measures for its rejuvenation.
"There are lakhs of people in states like UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand who run small business during festival seasons. These people have major role to play in cleaning Ganga mission. It should come through public awareness and participation," she said.