Launch Historic Initiative To Protect Indian’s Health, Holy Places; Unite to Install Clean Water Filters at Kumbh Mela
ALLAHABAD- At the Kumbh Mela today, His Excellency, Uttarakhand Governor, Dr. Aziz Qureshi, His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, distinguished Mayors and Government officials met to discuss ways to make the pathways of pilgrims as clean as the temple they pray in. This meeting was organized by Ganga Action Parivar in cooperation and coordination with the Bhumi Project and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), who have all come together as part of the Green Pilgrimage Network.
In bringing together lauded officials from across India, this conference will enable the sharing of information and ideas about how India’s cities and pilgrimage places can become cleaner and greener.
“If every mayor gives one solution, imagine, you’ll have 20 solutions. And when you go back, you have not only had a dip in the sangam, but you have experienced the sangam of some of humanity’s brightest minds, who have come together to share,” said His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
Says Sadvhi Bhagawati of Ganga Action Parivar, “This conference builds on the many levels that Ganga Action Parivar is working, from installing clean water filters and eco-toilets on the ground, to developing the critical infrastructure that will enable nature to be treated with the same reverence as India’s temples.
Added Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, “One day, people will come to know that rivers don’t belong to one, but belong to all. Ultimately, all rivers flow to the ocean, and the oceans are connected, so we are not working only for India or one city, we are working for all. In that all, there are no walls of religions, politics, caste or country. Let us work together.”
In addition to the Mayors’ Conference, His Excellency, Uttarakhand Governor, Dr. Aziz Qureshi, alongside DRDO, FICCI, and Ganga Action Parivar launched the Ganga Tat Pe Ganga Jal Initiative. The historic program is to place Waterlife water filtration systems on the banks of the Ganga for the use of pilgrims visiting some of India’s holiest places and festivals.
“The Ganga is eternally pure, but because of the pollution caused by mankind, over 1700 people are dying of waterborne diseases in India every day. The Ganga Tat Pe Ganga Jal initiative will do much to safeguard people’s health,” said His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati. “On this Kumbh Mela, it is a great opportunity to bring together esteemed government officials alongside FICCI, DRDO and spiritual communities, to create a new “Clean Revolution” for India.
“FICCI is proud to support the inauguration of Ganga Action Parivar’s first water purification systems, which will be installed directly on the Ganga River, and will provide clean drinking water for all who visit Her banks,” said Rakesh Sood of FICCI. “Water issues are very prevalent in India and it is integral to the health of our children, our holy Ganga, and the holy Yamuna Rivers that we work together to overcome these challenges. Wherever clean water is needed, let us hope and pray that this program will go further, get more attention, and reach more people.”
