Go with the flow

Mona

Here is one cause that even kids from tricity are really charged up to take on! ‘Save the rivers, save us’ is the war cry by many 5-to-10-year-olds.

An initiative by Isha Foundation, the Rally for River campaign, which kickstarted on September 3 in Coimbatore with founder Sadhguru taking a road trip through different states of India, culminates in New Delhi on October 2. The campaign, not a protest, nor an agitation, aims at raising awareness and garnering support for rivers in India.

Noble aim

Rally for Rivers aims to connect the dots that play partners in saving the lifelines of our country — the rivers. The campaign-organizers seek individual participation through just a missed call at the toll free number 80009 80009. Armed with hundreds of individuals of this democracy, Sadhguru intends to meet the vice-president of the country to press for substantial action. A report put together by environmentalists envisages a plan that forestation of a kilometre on both sides of the rivers could be an effective measure to stall the shrinking of our lifelines. And the governments - both state and central - along with individuals, committed to the cause must support this mega project.

Green cause

Dr Japneet Pall, who has been associated with Isha for last four years, mentions successful project GreenHands, which aims to increase the green cover of Tamil Nadu by 10 per cent in order to reverse desertification, reduce soil erosion, restore self-sufficiency, recreate sustainability and counteract climate change, while involving people from every sector of society.

She, along with other enthusiasts of Chandigarh chapter of Isha Foundation, has made it to city schools, colleges and markets, mobilising the masses to participate. “Rarely do we come across individuals who cannot as much as give a missed call to strengthen the campaign,” claims dentist Dr Akalkala Sekhwan.

“Sadhguru has so far crossed states with six different governments and each has promised to work towards the cause,” shares Vivek Rana. The Isha volunteers believe in power of democracy and being committed towards the cause. “When crores of people get together to claim their responsibility to reverse the damage done to nature and reverse it, focused efforts at the level of policy and its implementation can bring the desired results,” he adds.

Going strong

Apart from environment, Isha foundation has been working in the field of education, employment, health care but with the recent ‘baba’ exposures presenting an alternate reality, how has it impacted their foundation? Akalkala rejoins, “Our efforts are compromised (one mega event was to be cancelled because of section 144) but our spirits aren’t!”

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Grim situation

• As many as 65% of our water need is met by rivers.
• One of the most endangered rivers in the world is Ganga.
• Narmada has lost 60 per cent of its flow.
• Many months in a year, Krishna and Cauvery do not make it to the ocean.

Cyclothon event

The Cyclothon Fun event in Chandigarh will be flagged off by Kiran Bedi and Kavita Mohan at 6:30 pm on September 23. Registrations will be held from 5:30am to 6:10 am. This one-day event is among the many planned to raise awareness. Last weekend, MP Kirron Kher was part of an installation on the same theme, and September 29 would have Sadhguru stop in Chandigarh with an event planned at Tagore Theatre, which will be attended by Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers and Governors.