Hindustan Times (East UP)

Yeoman service needed to make Ganga pollution free: Bhagwat

Aarti of holy Ganga should be performed regularly in every village along the river, to sensitise people on the importance and cleanlines­s of this ancient river

- HT Correspond­ent allahabad.htdesk@hindustant­imes.com

PRAYAGRAJ: Chief of Rashtriya Swayamseva­k Sanagh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said we need to make efforts like Bhagirath (a legendary king of the Ikshvaku dynasty who according to ancient Hindu mythology is believed to have brought the sacred Ganga to Earth from the Heavens) to make the national river free of all pollution.

“Ganga is the cultural and social lifeline of our country and we need to step forward to save the river by spreading awareness among people and involving them in this mission to realise the dream of a clean Ganga,” said Bhagwat while speaking on the concluding day of the twoday event of Ganga Samagra, dedicated to the river conservati­on and preserving water bodies, organised at the tent city camp of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Addressing volunteers, who had gathered from six states of the country, Bhagwat said that Aarti of the holy Ganga should be performed regularly in every village along the river, to sensitise people on the importance and cleanlines­s of this ancient river.

“This will instill faith and devotion in the people towards Maa Ganga and then people will be inspired to ensure that the Ganga remain pollution free,” he maintained.

He conceded that the mission could be attained only by it gaining acceptance and pace among the masses. “This can be achieved through the blessings of our saints. However, like we could not predict when Ram temple would get constructe­d in Ayodhya earlier, when the Ganga would become pollution free also cannot be forecasted,” he added.

In the meet, around 600 office bearers and activists associated with Ganga Samagra from all over the country gave their suggestion­s on improving the condition of Ganga. They also discussed tree plantation, cleanlines­s of ghats, involving priests active on the river ghats, as well as members of the boatmen and fishermen community, constructi­on of ponds along the riverbanks to conserve the national river.

Along with Bhagwat, others who attended the meet included senior RSS leader Krishna Gopal, former Union minister Uma Bharti, Ganga Samagra national orgqanisat­ional secretary Mithilesh Narayan and its national general secretary Ashish Gautam.

 ??  ?? RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressing the Ganga Samagra Samagam at VHP’s Magh Mela camp in Prayagraj on Saturday.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressing the Ganga Samagra Samagam at VHP’s Magh Mela camp in Prayagraj on Saturday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India