March Features More Than 1,000 Kumbh Pilgrims Representing 54 Countries, Students from Northeast India
Allahabad – More than a thousand people – from across India and around the world – marched together to celebrate India’s Republic Day on the banks of the Ganga at the Kumbh Mela today, as part of an environmental parade to call for India’s independence from pollution and to pay homage to the war heroes, who have faithfully served India’s past.
Led by His Holiness Puyja Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, participants from of all castes, creeds and cultures came together to call for an Indian “Clean Revolution.” The parade-goers, hailing from more than 54 countries, as well as students from the Northeast states of India, waved their national flags, colorful banners and slogan-signs calling for all to keep Mother India and Mother Ganga pollution-free.
Said Puyja Swami Chidanand Saraswati, “We are gathering to send a strong message that together, we can clean up the Ganga, just as She can cleans us. Today, we celebrate our freedom of sovereignty, but we are not truly free until our country is liberated of pollution. We must continue to work and to strive for the freedom to live in a country blessed with clean air, water and land. Ganga’s rights are our rights! We worked and fought long and hard for our own independence. Now we must work for Ganga’s rights!”
Everyday, nearly 3 billion liters of sewage and chemical waste are poured into the Ganga. This dumping, combined with the obstruction and diversion of its water has resulted in water shortages, toxic drinking water, and the virtual disappearance of segments of the river.
The event will also pay respect to the war heroes, who have protected the land, culture and people of India. In doing so, it will send a message of inspiration for all to serve in the footsteps of these martyrs and veterans in order to preserve our environment.
Said Puyja Swami Chidanand Saraswati, “To those who fought for India’s Independence, we honor their memory by dedicating ourselves to cleaning up India, so that future generations will not only appreciate our sovereignty, but also our beautiful country and Mother Ganga, our National Heritage.”
The procession began at 4pm on the banks of the Ganga on the main Kumbh Mela grounds and ended at Sangam Nose. A special Aarti ceremony was held at Sangam Nose immediately after the parade.
Click here to watch an interview with Pujya Swamiji at the parade >>
Click here to watch the Sangam Aarti at the end of the parade >>
