11 August,2016 08:28 AM IST | | Tanvi Deshpande
The parent body of all Ganpati mandals, has come out with an Android application to help mandals give information, and also submit registration forms through it
Not sure which Ganesh pandal to visit this festival season? An app will help you choose. The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Samanvay Samiti, the parent body of all Ganpati Mandals, has come out with an Android application that helps mandals give information about their innovation and social initiatives. Users can access this app to also find out the best decorations in town. Besides, mandals can also submit registration forms through the app.
Citizens can find which pandal has the best decoration or another innovation and visit it after finding this through the app
Ganesh Utsav could easily be Mumbai's favourite festival. Every year, thousands of big and small mandals, especially in the central suburbs of Lalbaug, Parel, welcome the God with enthusiasm. The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Samanvay Samiti (coordination committee) works as a coordinator between these mandals and the BMC.
The committee recently had a meeting with the municipal commissioner and civic officials, wherein the BMC came out with a policy. The policy has laid down guidelines for the smooth functioning of the 10-day festival. Besides, the committee also announced the launching of its app, Samanvay Shree Ganesh at the meeting.
The app is available on Google Playstore and will help mandals get registration done. Mandals have to register before September 5, that is the beginning of the festival. They can download the form from the app, and submit it along with documents to the authorities concerned. The form can also be filled online if the mandals are already registered with the Charity Commissioner. In that case, mandals can simply re-register through this app.
Besides, mandals can upload information about their social initiatives and decorations on the app. For example, a lot of mandals hold innovative competitions during the 10-day festival, or blood donation, organ donation camps. This information can be available on the app. They can also upload a description of their decorations but the app currently doesn't have the facility for uploading images. Citizens can access the information to decide which mandal has something unique that they would like to take time out and visit.
"This is the next step the committee has taken when it comes to coordination. We want to reduce the number of permissions; paperwork and running around that people have to do. So many times, formalities are incomplete till the last moment. The app will make things easy for everyone," said Naresh Dahibavkar, President of the committee.
