Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' wife Amruta Fadnavis and daughter Divija Fadnavis participated in the Divyaj Foundation's annual 'Sea Shore Shine 2026' beach clean-up drive at Juhu Beach, Mumbai on Saturday, 26 September 2026 — a day after Ganesh Visarjan marked the conclusion of this year's Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

What the Drive Involved

The clean-up initiative, organised under the leadership of Amruta Fadnavis as Divyaj Foundation founder, brought together volunteers, public figures, and civic officials to clear post-immersion waste from Juhu Beach. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide also joined the drive to promote environmental awareness and cleanliness.

Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn lent his presence to the initiative, citing its creative approach. 'Because this is a creative initiative. I wanted to thank the whole team, so I want to be a part of it, and I am a part of it,' Devgn said.

What Divija Fadnavis Said

Addressing reporters at the event, Divija Fadnavis underscored the importance of youth participation in civic initiatives. 'I think it's very important for the youth and younger generation to be involved in social initiatives like beach clean-ups, because it gives us a sense of responsibility towards our nation and builds confidence in ourselves to ensure that we keep our beaches and our nation clean,' she said.

Six Years of Consistent Effort

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam noted that Amruta Fadnavis, through the Divyaj Foundation, has been personally driving beach clean-up efforts for the past six years. 'Several NGOs and spiritual organisations are also associated with this initiative. This is a great work. The immersion has been completed, but we ourselves should keep our city clean,' Kadam said. The scale of participation — spanning elected officials, civic bodies, and voluntary organisations — reflects growing institutional traction for the drive.

Why Post-Visarjan Clean-Ups Matter

Ganesh Visarjan was observed on Friday, 25 September, coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi, when devotees immerse idols in water bodies amid devotional songs, prayers, and offerings. Environmental advocates have long flagged the ecological toll of non-biodegradable materials, chemical paints, and synthetic coatings used in idol production, which can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. Post-immersion clean-up drives like 'Sea Shore Shine' aim to mitigate this impact and build broader public awareness about preserving coastal and riverine environments.

With the festival season drawing to a close, events such as this are likely to gain renewed attention as urban local bodies and civil society push for more sustainable celebration practices in future years.