By ImpactLens Correspondent
By collecting one tonne of plastic across the difficult terrain from Devghat to Saswad, the Green Youth Movement has proven that a spiritual journey can also be a journey of environmental protection. As millions walk toward Pandharpur each year, one hopes they will remember not only the devotion of the pilgrimage but also the young volunteers walking quietly alongside them—collecting plastic, safeguarding nature, and showing that caring for the Earth is, in its own way, a form of serving the Divine.
Every year, millions of Warkaris walk hundreds of kilometres towards Pandharpur, carrying devotion, discipline, and an unwavering faith in Lord Vitthal. The Wari is one of the world’s largest spiritual pilgrimages—a living tradition where every step is an offering of love and humility. Yet, once the dindis move ahead, another reality often remains behind. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, disposable plates, and other waste accumulate along the pilgrimage route. This year, however, a new story emerged from the roads of Diveghat and beyond. It was not merely about collecting plastic. It was about redefining devotion itself.
The Green Youth Movement, in partnership with TrashTech and District, PMC and PCMC administration, transformed the Wari into a living classroom of environmental responsibility by collecting another one tonne on the 4th Day. Hundreds of young volunteers from colleges, NSS units, Youth4Change groups, Rotary Clubs, community organisations, and local neighbourhoods came together with a simple yet powerful mission—Swachh Wari, Sundar Wari. Their objective was not only to remove plastic waste but also to inspire thousands of pilgrims to believe that caring for nature is an act of worship.
For Abhijeet Katke, the experience became deeply personal. Participating in the plastic collection drive was his first opportunity to volunteer in such a large public campaign. What began as a cleanliness activity soon became a life-changing moment. He described the experience as one of profound fulfilment, saying that serving both God and the environment brought him immense inner satisfaction. Inspired by the spirit of “First but not Last,” Abhijeet expressed his hope that this would only be the beginning of a lifelong journey of service. Through the Green Youth Movement, he realised that social change does not always require extraordinary resources; sometimes it simply requires ordinary people willing to act. His heartfelt gratitude reflected the emotions of many first-time volunteers who discovered the joy of selfless service amidst the chants of “Vitthal Vitthal.”
While individual volunteers found purpose, the larger initiative demonstrated what disciplined planning and collective leadership can achieve. Abhanga Talekar, Program Officer at CYDA, observed the campaign not only as a participant but also as someone witnessing an emerging model of environmental management during mass gatherings. She noted how hundreds of youth volunteers transformed an otherwise demanding waste collection exercise into an inspiring public movement. With the support of TrashTech Pvt Ltd, every collection point was systematically managed, ensuring that the recovered plastic entered the recycling stream instead of returning to the environment.
The challenge was immense. Lakhs of pilgrims crossed the steep terrains of Diveghat. Yet, despite the enormous footfall, the fragile ecosystem remained remarkably clean. Volunteers spread themselves across difficult stretches of the ghats with exceptional discipline, ensuring both operational efficiency and volunteer safety. Their efforts were not confined to picking up litter. They actively engaged with Warkaris, encouraged plastic reduction, distributed environmental messages, and gently reminded pilgrims that keeping the Wari clean was everyone’s shared responsibility.
Perhaps the campaign’s greatest achievement was not measured in kilograms of plastic or the number of collection bags filled. Its success was measured in human responses.
Dindi leaders blessed the volunteers. Pilgrims stopped to appreciate their efforts. Some joined the collection drive. Others handed over plastic waste directly to the volunteers instead of discarding it on the roadside. Every interaction became an opportunity to reshape public behaviour. Every blessing reinforced the belief that environmental service is not separate from spiritual service—it is an extension of it.
This sentiment is beautifully echoed in the appreciation letter written by Amol Kolate of Saswad. Reflecting on the initiative, he described it as a benchmark for waste management during mass spiritual gatherings. He admired the extraordinary enthusiasm of young volunteers, the seamless spirit of TrashTech Pvt Ltd, and the meticulous planning demonstrated by Green Youth Movement and its partners. For him, the initiative proved that ancient cultural traditions and modern environmental responsibility are not opposing ideas but complementary values that strengthen one another.
Amol also paid special tribute to the campaign leadership, particularly Mr. Daulat Kumbhar, whose planning, coordination, and constant motivation ensured that teams worked safely and efficiently across the challenging terrain of Diveghat. His leadership enabled hundreds of volunteers to function as one disciplined force. More importantly, Amol recognised every volunteer’s contribution, reminding them that they had not merely cleaned roads—they had earned the respect, affection, and blessings of thousands of Warkaris.
The Green Youth Movement is therefore far more than a cleanliness campaign. It represents a new generation of leadership where youth move beyond awareness into action. It demonstrates that sustainability is not only about managing waste but about changing attitudes. It teaches that civic responsibility is learned through participation, not lectures.
