The wave of social consciousness created by Satyamev Jayate seems to have caught the attention of Ganesh mandals in the city. Many mandals have come up with themes for this year revolving around social issues from the TV show.
Over the years, the Ganesh festival has been a platform for social or educational reforms. The popular show has carried forward this trend. For instance, Abhuday Nagar Sarvjanik Ganeshotsav Mandal will showcase a play that will highlight the issue of female foeticide. “Students of Ruia College will perform the play for the devotees that will focus on the perils of female foeticide. Lokmanya Tilak had started the festival to create awareness on social issues and this is exactly what the show did. Sensitisation amongst people is the need of the hour,” said Sanjay Desai, advisor of the mandal.
Social issues such as dowry, child sex abuse, female foeticide, medical malpractices, organic farming and water crisis are to be taken up by the mandals in the city.
Another popular mandal — Sarvajanik Shri Ganesh Utsav Mandal, Vitthal Mandir in Dahisar has decided to focus on problems faced by senior citizens, an issue that was highlighted in the show. The mandal has fixed its theme and decoration on the problems faced by senior citizens.
“The issue of problems faced by senior citizens is serious and hence awareness is necessary. We hope to send a message to the youth that even they will become old one day and hence care and affection is necessary,” said Abhay Patil, secretary of the mandal.
“The actor (Aamir Khan) has highlighted various social issues and we welcome this. The ganesh mandals too are trying to create awareness on the issues highlighted in the show through themes,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, the president of the Brihanmumbai Ganesh Utsav Samanvay Samiti, an umbrella organisation of the mandals in the city.