Birthday celebrations on the banks of the Yamuna. Delhi Cabinet Minister and Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma celebrated his birthday at Vasudev Ghat, performed the Yamuna Aarti, and sought Maa Yamuna’s blessings on Saturday.
Last month, Verma appealed to Delhi residents to celebrate their birthdays and other special occasions with Maa Yamuna, encouraging them to reconnect with the river and become active participants in its rejuvenation. The unusual proposal is part of the Delhi government’s efforts to encourage people to develop a personal connection with the Yamuna and take responsibility for keeping it clean.
On the occasion, he reiterated his resolve to work towards making the entire stretch of the Yamuna from Wazirabad to Kalindi Kunj clean and rejuvenated over the next three years. Speaking on the occasion, Singh said, “A few days ago, I appealed to the people of Delhi to celebrate their birthdays and special occasions with Maa Yamuna. Today, on my own birthday, I am following the same thought by seeking her blessings. My appeal is to every Delhiite to reconnect with Maa Yamuna, celebrate their happy moments with her and become a part of the collective effort to restore the river. We are also developing facilities along the riverfront, including huts, so that people and families can spend quality time by the Yamuna.”
He said the idea is to create a stronger emotional connection between people and the river. Special huts are being developed along the riverfront to provide families with welcoming spaces where they can spend time by the Yamuna and celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.
Emphasising that Yamuna rejuvenation goes beyond cleaning the river, he said riverfront development is equally important in transforming the river’s surroundings into clean, green and attractive public spaces.
“Our vision is to make the Yamuna a source of pride for Delhi once again. Cleaning the river, improving its surroundings and developing the riverfront must go hand in hand. When people become emotionally connected with the Yamuna, they will also feel a greater responsibility towards keeping it clean,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment, he said the target is to work towards a clean and rejuvenated Yamuna from Wazirabad to Kalindi Kunj within the next three years.