On Saturday 26 October, the Kingston and Surbiton candidate for the Green Party, Dr Debojyoti Das, attended the Thames Durga Parade

In Indian culture, there is no single word for sustainability, because it's woven into the fabric of its traditions.

Today, as the world embraces sustainability, India offers what its always known as its true essence: its way of life.

The Thames Durga Parade on October 26 "felt like a celebration of everything meaningful—heritage, nature, unity, and a shared responsibility for our planet," says one of Dr Das' students.

 At the heart of the procession was a beautiful idol of Goddess Durga, crafted by students from Kolkata.

Seeing her on the Thames, accompanied by drums, songs, and the vibrant energy of both Londoners and the Indian diaspora, felt like a powerful reminder of how deeply culture and the environment are intertwined.

 In Indian tradition, idols like Durga are typically made from natural materials, meant to dissolve back into the earth or water after the celebration.

In Indian tradition, idols like Durga are typically made from natural materials, meant to dissolve back into the earth or water after the celebration (Image supplied)

This cycle of creation and return reflects a deep respect for nature that has been part of Indian culture for centuries.

Dr Das said: "Watching the Durga idol sail down the Thames, I felt that same spirit of respect, a reminder that we can carry tradition forward while also honouring the planet.

 "One of the most moving moments was when the waters from twelve rivers worldwide were ceremonially mixed into the Thames water in a bowl.

"People had travelled overland to bring this water, symbolising unity across continents.

"It was as if the rivers themselves were coming together, reminding us that clean water is something all cultures rely on, a common thread that connects us regardless of background."

He added: "But while we celebrated, the reality of the Thames' own pollution was hard to ignore. Recent issues with untreated waste from Thames Water serve as a stark contrast to the respect for rivers that this parade represented."

Once a biologically "dead" river in the 1950s due to industrial pollution, the Thames has seen significant improvement over the decades, thanks to conservation efforts that reintroduced over 120 species of fish and protected birds, seals, and other wildlife.

Yet recent concerns over sewage discharge by Thames Water have renewed fears about water quality.

In the last year alone, nearly 62 million cubic meters of untreated sewage flowed into the Thames, affecting both aquatic life and public health.

Anubhuti, a student from India who participated in the parade, said: "It felt bittersweet to see a celebration of water while knowing that the Thames itself needs protecting."

'It felt bittersweet to see a celebration of water while knowing that the Thames itself needs protecting,' says Anubhuti (Image supplied)

 The parade's finale, with Tower Bridge opening to welcome Durga, captured the spirit of hope and resilience that she represents.

Dr Das said: "To me, it highlighted the need for a holistic approach to sustainability—one that includes culture, community, and respect for the natural world.

"The Thames Durga Parade wasn't just a celebration; it was a reminder that honouring our traditions should go hand in hand with taking care of the planet that sustains them."

Sanjukta Ghosh, who attended the event, told Kingston Nub: "The water mixing was preceded by a water ritual of purification, showcasing a dance move by Sohini Roychowdhury, visiting artist from India, conceptualised by Sanjukta Ghosh by me, in the rhythm of manthan/churning, an environmental theme enshrined in Indian textual tradition."

Bengal Heritage, directed by Anirban Mukhopahyay, was a partner of this event and Lababa Rice was its main sponsor.

Kingston Cllr Kamala Krugan also attended the parade.

Kingston Cllr Kamala Krugan also attended the parade (Image supplied)