Ganpati’s rhythmic journey to pandals

“Over the next 10 days,we will have several thousands coming to our pandal. We hope that they will see these photos and that some information may come our way about these missing persons,who include children,youngsters and even elderly people. Our initiative comes from a desire to help,” said Devendra Jain,a worker in the mandal. He added that they will also display information on an LCD screen outside the pandal. “Usually we display ads and make money for the trust,but we think this cause is much more important,” he said.

Founder of Tera Baccha Mera Baccha,Abhay Dattatray Kirane,whose son has been missing since 2009,said they have relatives of about 40 missing persons as members. “Through an RTI we found that there are 19,000 missing people in our city. We have been seeking platforms to reach as many people as possible in the hope that at least someone will give us a lead to find our dear ones,” he said.

The desperation was evident as Charulata Naresh Jadhav spoke about her 18-year-old son Nikhil,who went missing in April. “We have been going to Mumbai every single week and going up and down streets with our son’s photograph because someone spotted him there. But it has not borne fruit yet,” she said. However,she is hopeful that someone at the pandal will have some information. “People come from so many villages and towns to Pune for the festival. Laxmi Road is very famous for its Ganesh pandals. With our son’s photograph on display for 10 days,we hope to get some information on his whereabouts,” she added.

Treasurer of the mandal,Harshad Pachange said boxes have been placed at the pandal so that anyone who has information can just drop leave a note. “Our entire committee did not want just a flash of money and creativity. We want to help people. If even one person is found because of our efforts,we will consider our trophy won,” he said.