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As seven major Ganesh Mandals from Pune are extending their Ganeshotsav celebrations to Kashmir in 2024, with plans to send idols to Srinagar, Kupwara, and Anantnag; Trustee of the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal Punit Balan highlighted the initiative’s significance, emphasizing that Ganeshotsav, a festival celebrated nationwide and abroad, should also be observed in Kashmir. He further added that it is a unique initiative as this is showing signs that there is peace prevailing in the valley.
Speaking to ANI, Punit Balan said, “... All the mandals of Pune came together and announced this in a press conference. A lot of people laughed and questioned the need for this decision. Pune's Ganeshotsav has not just been restricted to Pune. It is celebrated all across the country as well as abroad. So why can Ganeshotsav not be celebrated in Kashmir?... Last year, Ganeshotsav was celebrated in Kashmir 39 years after the start of militancy in the valley... This year, three Ganpati idols from Pune are being sent to Srinagar, Kupwara, and Anantnag...It is an unique initiative and this is showing signs that there is peace prevailing in the valley; people are inclined towards peace and not militancy…”