Ganges is impure
The week's news at a glance.
Allahabad, India
Hindu holy men threatened to boycott a massive purifying ceremony this week, saying the Ganges River is too filthy for bathing. Every six years, millions of Hindus immerse themselves in the Ganges for the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the ritual of washing away sins. But the Ganges has been growing increasingly contaminated, as thousands of gallons of industrial and human waste are dumped into the river each day. Indian health officials, acknowledging that levels of some pollutants are thousands of times the acceptable amount, opened a dam to pump fresh water into the Ganges near the immersion site. The dilution hasn’t helped much, though. “Until people learn not to throw corpses in the river or empty their rubbish there, and factories stop their pollution,” said riverside innkeeper M.P. Sahi, “nothing will change.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The insides and outsides of Helsinki's energetic art scene
The Week Recommends Finland's capital has an admirable mix of street art and museums
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'We have witnessed firsthand how health and civics intersect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Abortion rights are a 'core issue' for Kamala Harris
The Explainer She is featuring a 'rapid-response mentality' on reproductive rights
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published