‘No bacterial growth in Ganga, pure as alkaline water’

Prayagraj: Even after over 57 crore devotees taking holy dip in the Ganga at the ongoing Maha Kumbh, its purity remains unaffected.
Padma Shri scientist Dr Ajay Kumar Sonkar, who previously engaged in scientific discussions with Missile Man Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, proved in his laboratory that the Ganga water is not only fit for bathing but is as pure as alkaline water.
Challenging sceptics, the scientist debunked doubts about the Ganga's purity with scientific evidence. He issued an open challenge, inviting anyone with even the slightest doubt to bring the Ganga water before him and verify its purity through laboratory testing.
Dr Sonkar, known for challenging Japan's dominance in pearl farming, collected water samples of the Ganga from five major bathing ghats, including including Sangam Nose and Arail in Mahakumbh Nagar. These samples were then subjected to microscopic examination in his laboratory. To his surprise, despite crores of devotees bathing in the river, there was no bacterial growth or decline in the water's pH level. No harmful bacteria developed after incubating the water samples for 14 hours.
After three months of rigorous research, he confirmed that the Ganga remains the purest, posing no risk to bathers. Laboratory tests further validated that, due to the presence of bacteriophages, Ganga water retains its extraordinary self-purifying ability in every way.
Dr Sonkar's research revealed that Ganga water contains 1,100 types of bacteriophages—natural viruses that eliminate harmful bacteria. This self-purifying mechanism ensures that the river remains uncontaminated even after holy dips by over 57crore devotees.
Disproving media reports and claims by specific organisations suggesting that Ganga water is unfit for Aachman and bathing, Dr Sonkar's findings confirmed that the river's pH level, ranging between 8.4 and 8.6, is better than normal and that no foul smell or bacterial growth was detected in it.
Dr Sonkar emphasised that the Ganga water is safe for bathing and does not cause skin diseases upon contact. He challenged sceptics to accompany him to the ghats, collect water samples, and verify their purity in the laboratory.
Questioning the claims of highly polluted Ganga water before the commencement of Maha Kumbh, Dr Sonkar stated that if the river were indeed contaminated, there would have been a global outcry by now, with hospitals overwhelmed by patients. But not a single individual suffered any harm by bathing in the Ganga. He challenged those spreading misinformation to explain why not even one of these 57 crore devotees reported any illness if the water were polluted.
Dr Sonkar further explained that bacterial growth in water typically leads to increased acidity, as many bacteria produce acidic byproducts like lactic acid or carbonic acid, which lower the pH level. However, laboratory tests of five different water samples from the Ganga revealed an alkaline nature, with pH levels consistently ranging from 8.4 to 8.6 indicating absence of harmful bacterial activity.