New Delhi: The Delhi Government is organising a grand Ganesh Puja celebration on Friday to help the people of Delhi celebrate the occasion together, remotely. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the 2 crore people of Delhi will join this program through the live TV telecast; and singers Suresh Wadekar and Shankar Mahadevan will perform the Aarti at the event.
The CM said that kids need to be educated about the deep historical significance of Ganesh Chaturthi and parents must tell them about its role in the freedom movement; so that they develop the spirit of spirituality and patriotism. He said that Ganesh Chaturthi has taught our country the strength of unity and COVID-19 too can only be defeated with unity. The Chief Minister has appealed to all the people of the country to join the celebration remotely. The program will be telecast live from 7 PM and will be attended by the CM along with the entire Delhi Cabinet.
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal began his address with the holy mantra of ‘Om Gan Ganapataye Namah’ and said, “Today marks the _'Chaturthi'_ of _'Shukla Paksha'_ in the _'Bhadrapad Maas'_ ; it is the day when Lord Ganesha arrives in our homes, when we bring his idol home and pray to him with jubilation and galore. Lord Ganesha is the _‘Pratham Devta’_, he is the _‘Vighnaharta’_. This is why we pray to his divinity before the commencement of any task. People pray to Lord Ganesha throughout the country in many different forms and in many different ways. Today, I want to make a request to all the parents. Please do tell your children about the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi in India’s history. Discuss with them the valour with which it was celebrated.”
“In the British era, people were not able to celebrate any cultural program or festival together as a community or by gathering at one place. That's why people used to worship at home. Our revered freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak celebrated _Ganeshotsav_ publicly for the first time in Pune. Later on, his efforts became instrumental in starting a movement. This Ganeshotsav played an important role in uniting the people in the freedom movement,” the CM said, outlining the deep historical significance that the festival holds in India’s freedom movement.
“Ganesh Chaturthi became a way to gather the people of the country, and inculcate patriotism among them. They came together and worshipped Lord Ganesha and fought together for the freedom of our country. We all must educate our children about this special blend of spirituality and patriotism. We all must develop this spirit of spirituality and patriotism in our children,” he added.
Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Delhi Government is organising a grand Ganesh Puja program, and said, “This festival gives strength to all of us Indians to unite and fight against all our troubles, and motivates us to overcome difficult situations. The country is currently fighting the biggest battle this century may have seen. This battle against COVID-19, can only be defeated with unity. Because of COVID-19, public programs at ‘Pandals’ have not been allowed this time. This has been done so that any instance of crowding can be avoided. This is why we are organising a unique and wonderful Ganesh Puja program; this program will make all the people immerse themselves in the divine powers of Lord Ganesha while being at their homes.”
“The Ganesh Puja program will be telecast live on all channels. All the people can worship Lord Shri Ganesh by joining this program of worship with their families through the TV. I, along with all the ministers, will be present at the Puja from 7 PM onwards,” the CM said.
“I request all the people to watch the program with their entire family, especially their children, and celebrate this grand event together. I am extremely glad that famous singers and composers, Shankar Mahadevan and Suresh Wadekar, will also join us tonight to perform the Ganesh Puja Aarti in this program,” he added.
“This time all of us 2 crore people of Delhi will worship Lord Ganesha together. On behalf of the 2 crore people of Delhi, I invite all the people of this country to take part in this live worship program and celebrate Lord Ganesha. When 130 crore Indians will come together to worship Lord Ganapati, miracles will definitely happen. May the ‘Vighnaharta’ bless all of us and take away all our problems,” the CM concluded.