Date:15/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091557520200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Clearing debris, a back-breaking job

Hyderabad: The humungous task of cleaning up and removing the debris from the water bodies, surely evokes feelings of sympathy for the municipal staff. The cleaning personnel at several venues were gearing up to work overnight to make sure that all the debris is removed by Sunday night.

Due to continuous contact with plaster of Paris and other chemicals used to prepare the Ganesh idols, the hands of the cleaning staff developed rashes.

Several of them even sported signs of skin infections on their legs after coming in contact with the iron used as support for the idols.

Authorities distributed protective gear to some of them, to avert further damage.

They belong to the tribe of ‘Prasadam’ hunters. Young kids, mostly from the local hutments, thronged the lakes in city outskirts, hoping to help families in immersion and ask for ‘Prasadam’ and even cash in return.

Several families, who came to Saroornagar lake for immersion, even brought vehicle loads of food packets and water specially for the occasion.

Several kids pointed out that, with a bit of luck, they would end up earning anywhere from Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 by the end of the immersion night.

In fact, they have been making cash, ever since the immersion started last week.

Onlookers galore

It was a day ideally suited for onlookers, who do not have anything much to do except to watch proceedings, soak in the celebrations and of course while way time. Kids perched on the shoulders of their elders, women chatting about the opulence of each Ganesh idols, youngsters talking about the size of the idols and gesticulating at TV cameras and few others closely watching the removal of debris, half expecting to find some treasure.

Security personnel fret over the onlookers, who are always on the lookout for a vantage point.

The moment the police push them away to a safe distance, bystanders, after a while, once again take over their favourite spot. Some of them, in jest, join the revelry by dancing to the tunes of drum beats and yelling “Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Agley Saal To Jaldi Aaa’.