Global Inter Faith Wash Alliance---‘Women's role vital in ensuring clean water, environment’

Tribune News Service

Rishikesh, November 30

Sadhvi Bhagwati, chairperson of the Divine Shakti Foundation, addresses the gathering. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Women have to play an important role in ensuring clean water and clean environment. Sadhavi Bhagwati, president of the Divine Shakti Foundation, said this at the concluding session of the two-day summit on Global Inter Faith Wash Alliance at Parmarth Niketan, near Rishikesh, in Pauri Garhwal district here today.

The summit witnessed 200 delegates, spiritual gurus, religious representatives and environment activists from across the globe.

Emphasis was laid on conserving natural water resources, sanitation, hygiene and having toilets for women in India. The participants took a pledge to take the message of WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) to their homelands. Sadhvi Bhagwati said 30 crore women in India had to defecate in the open, which was shameful for us. “We feel proud of computer technology and reaching outer planets, but fail to provide toilets to our people, especially women. It’s a bitter experience for women, who not only brave social stigma, but also fear of violence in form of sexual assault,” she said.

Revered spiritual guru Mahamandaleshwar Santoshi Mata said women, who were capable and in a position to help in the cause, should come forward and show society the right path.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram ideologue Swami Chidanand Muni Maharaj discussed the importance of the global summit. He said this would generate awareness and pave the way for mobilisation of resources.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba from Cape Town, South Africa, expressed deep anguish at sufferings caused to a large number of people in the world due to poor hygiene.

He said it was the duty of the faith leaders to strive for social uplift of their respective communities. The summit was technically supported by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Ganga Action Family.

Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee representative Kiran Joth Kaur, Mahamandaleshwar Sadhvi Matreyi Giri, Sadhvi Shakti Parishad, Mahamandaleshwar Kamlesh Bharti, Mahamandaleshwar Hem Lata Mata from Kota, Rajasthan, BK Arti from Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidhyalya, journalist Vartika Nanda, Life Positive editior Suma, UNICEF representatives Manisha Mishra and Shalini, Swamini Laxmi Saraswati, Abha Saraswati and Deepika Singh from Nepal also spoke on the occasion.