Lucknow: Key public figures have appealed to people to organise bhandaras (community feasts) on Bada Mangals in a clean, disciplined and environmentally responsible manner this year with emphasis on sanitation, plastic-free arrangements, controlled sound levels and segregation of wet and dry waste.The appeal was made at the event Mangal Mahotsav on Saturday, held as a part of ‘Mangalmaan Abhiyan’ to make people aware of how to celebrate the festival in an environment-friendly manner and maintaining cleanliness. First Bada Mangal this year is on May 5.Minister of state for social welfare and SC/ST Welfare, UP, Asim Arun, said “A group of volunteers from Mangalmaan Abhiyan would visit bhandaras to review arrangements, advise organisers to avoid use of plastic, ensure cleanliness, segregate garbage and give appreciation certificates to motivate people.”The initiative focuses on zero-waste management, awareness drives and ensuring public spaces remain clean after events, the aim is to turn Bada Mangal into a mass movement rooted in devotion, discipline and environmental responsibility, the ‘abhiyaan’ should not be limited to Lucknow or only to Bada Mangal, he added.Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sanyojak, environment activities, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Rakesh Jain said use of steel utensils and cloth bags in large gatherings helps reduce waste significantly. The goal is to make such events completely plastic-free while protecting the environment, he added.Former mayor, Sanyukta Bhatia said the Mangalmaan initiative focuses on keeping bhandaras clean and eco-friendly. Retd. IAS, Anita Bhatnagar Jain, stressed need to regulate sound levels and follow environmental norms.Bada Mangal is a festival celebrated largely in Lucknow and is a symbol of the city Ganga-Jamuni culture. It falls on all Tuesdays of the Hindu month of Jyeshth. This year, eight Bada Mangals will be celebrated between Jyeshth (May 2–Jun 29), a rare occurrence happening after 19 years, due to the 59-day long Jyeshth month.
