The launch of the WASH revolution today was an auspicious beginning and had the potential to transform India into a clean, green and healthy nation. Welcoming some of the most renowned faith leaders from across the globe to Uttarakhand, the land of the Gods, the Chief Minister, Harish Rawat, lauded Swami Chidanand Saraswati for launching this historic transformational initiative.
WASH stands for Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.Addressing the ‘Worship to WASH’ summit of leaders, organized by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) with the technical support of UNICEF, the Chief Minister committed the full support of his administration to this noble task.
Congratulating Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji for starting the Ganga of Insaniyat (humanity), the Chief Minister stressed the importance of the Clean India campaign whether called Nirmal Bharat or Swachh Bharat. He told the Prime Minister to accept the importance of Uttarakhand vis-à-vis India’s water problems and sought Rs 10,000 crore in phases. Our Constitution is as secular as the Ganga which makes no distinction.
If one lakh ponds are constructed by the people and the Government together it would revive the dried up rivulets in the State. Uttarakhand would be the only State to offer green bonus and water bonus for planting trees and constructing ponds, respectively, he said.
Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said, “It is great that we can send shuttles to space but let us also create space here for WASH. While Government can make Bills, interfaith leaders can change ‘dills’ (hearts). The time has come that we must not only worship the Creator but also its creation, and interfaith leaders now must come forward to charter innovative ways of spirituality.
The ‘Worship to WASH’ revolution is a powerful symbol of such a collective and innovative approach that will clean and purify not only our outer environment but our inner environment also.”
Dr Kalbe Sadiq Sahib, world renowned Islamic scholar and leader, said the message must go out from every mosque to observe individual and community cleanliness. He said, citing the example of Prophet Mohammad who maintained such high standards of cleanliness, that no fly could be seen around him. He expressed sadness to see the rivers that Indians worshipped so polluted whereas the rivers in Europe and US are so clean.
Maulana luqman Tarapuri, regional president of Global Imam Council, congratulated Swami Chidanand Saraswati for launching this initiative. He said, “Every religion lays such great stress on internal and external cleanliness, purity and respect for nature, including water and soil. I also pledge to bring all Imams together to spread and share this vital message of WASH with our communities and in our homes. We must end open defecation, save and purify our water sources, teach our children to wash hands with soap before every meal”
Dr Abdul Malik Mujahid, from Chicago, chairman of the parliament of world religions, expressed great joy at seeing the unprecedented gathering of faith leaders from across the globe not only for discussing high philosophy and spirituality but also for active spiritual action on something as basic for human health and dignity as WASH. He called it the opening of a new path of collective social leadership on the part of faith leaders. He also said that “Pujya Swamiji’s initiative and message are for every human in the world.”
louis George Arsenault, UNICEF Representative to India, said UNICEF was extremely happy to partner with GIWA. Underlining the immense transformative powers of faith, he hoped that GIWA would set a new example of global faith leadership for social transformation.
