Jointly organised by Sparsh Ganga and Namami Gange project, a cycle rally was taken out on Wednesday from Rishikesh to Haridwar with the participation of school students, armed forces personnel, members of the religious fraternity and others. The jawans cycled from Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh downstream to Haridwar and pledged people to keep the Ganga clean.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami Chidnand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan said that Sparsh Ganga campaign had been initiated on Ganga ghats by BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani and Tibetan leader Dalai Lama aside from the prominent members of the religious fraternity during the Kumbh Mela 2010. “I am grateful to all who have contributed to the great cause of the Ganga over the past eight years,” he said.
He further said that the Ganga was not just the lifeline of the people but the precious heritage of India. “It is the bounden duty of all living in the country to keep it clean and to ensure that it flows unimpeded,” he said that added that it is the collective duty of all. “Vigorous participation of all the organisations and the people is an imperative for the success of the movement for the cause of Ganga,” he said. Addressing the students, he urged them to adopt the four Ts-time, talent, technology and togetherness.
Swami Hansdevacharya said that the Ganga was the glorious identity of the hoary land. “It flows in the heart of the people and it is thus the responsibility of us all to keep it clean,” he said.
The former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ who was also present along with his daughter urged everyone present not to dump solid waste or polythene in the Ganga.
Hundreds of students present on the occasion pledged not to pollute the Ganga and not to allow it to be polluted by others as well. They also pledged to plant trees in every village and city to help conserve the environment now facing threat from several quarters . At the end of the rally, a disabled Jawan who participated in it was offered Rudrakh sapling.