(With inputs from agencies)

Don’t immerse ashes in holy Ganga: Union minister

NEW DELHI: Referring to the Hindu tradition of immersing the ashes of the deceased in the Ganges , a Union minister on Tuesday said that while traditions were all very well, they should be "revisited" with time, news agency ANI has reported."People have beliefs, but it is the demand of today's time to revisit them. We must not do anything that affects the purity of the Ganga," said Union minister Satyapal Singh about pollution in the Ganges.Instead, he suggested that the ashes be collected and buried, and saplings be planted over them. He said this would help future generations remember those who had passed."I urge all priests associated with rituals, to create awareness among people over this," he said.Singh was speaking at an event under the ' Namami Gange ' project.Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was also among the attendees at the event where 34 schemes worth over Rs 900 crore were introduced."Industries, garbage from villages along the banks of the river, and chemicals used in agriculture are polluting the Ganges," said the CM, even as he appealed to people to actively work towards keeping the river clean.