Ujjain: One-day symposium “Jago! Kshipra Pukare” was organised to highlight the pressing need of Kshipra revival by Roopantaran at MP Institute of Social Science Research here on Saturday. The programme was graced by the presence of ‘Waterman of India’ Rajendra Singh, founder Shivganga, Jhabua and Padma Shree Mahesh Sharma, Vibhavari founder Dr Sunil Chaturvedi and former national drinking water security project, government of India nodal officer Sudhindra Mohan Sharma.
Rajendra Singh rejuvenated 12 rivers – nine in Rajasthan, two in Maharashtra and one in Karnataka – that were declared dead. By profession, Singh was an eye specialist. An old patient, named Mangu Kaka, after being treated by him motivated him to treat mother earth as she needs help and she doesn’t have money too. Since then he is working for river rejuvenation.
Prominent among those who attended the symposium were Dr RK Pandey from Jabalpur, Diwakar Natu, Dr Pramod Verma, Ramesh Saboo, Umesh Gupta, Sanjay Vyas, Jaywant Dabhade, Dileep Panwar, Anandilal Joshi, Akshay Ameria and Roopantaran team, besides farmers and socio-voluntary workers. Pankhuri Joshi and Mayank Shukla introduced the guests. Roopantaran president Rajeev Pahwa gave Sanstha introduction and subject induction. During the programme, the artists of Ninad Dance Academy presented motivational event under the guidance of Palak Patwardhan.
“Work can’t be accomplished just be consensus, but by sharing individual responsibility and performing accordingly. Serving nature is also worship. We cannot do rituals so we pay priest to do it for us. Similarly, we can contribute our bit by sharing the burden of developing equally either doing it ourselves or by paying for it. Ujjain is a cultural capital of India. Rejuvenation of Kshipra will not only give new life to Kshipra, but at the same time, each river of India will become active, awakening divine energy within them. Kshipra is among main Saptpuris of India. So, if we will light a lamp here, it will automatically lighten up the dark areas of India, too. We are here to give meaning to our life and if it is used for the benefit of all, what can be better life than that.”
Mahesh Sharma
“For revival we should know the river and the part of river that is bank, catchment area, flood height and aquifers and ecological microbiology also. Over exploitation and over exhaustion is the major reason. We will have to be very conscious we don’t do any encroachment in river area otherwise we will have to face consequences. River Literacy Campaign, that too in integrated part and not in compartment. We will have to complete our homework first and do the proper planning. Workshop should be organized for different groups for river literacy. And we will have to see, river not according to revenue area, but we have to see river Kshipra in geographical manner that is 195×2 km in length and 6200 square km in area. Flow of river is due to rainwater and other is aquifers and soil sponges. We can make river alive and healthy if flow is there whole year.”
Sunil Chaturvedi
“For revival of 195 km long river Kshipra, we will have to work on small basins of the river. Seventy per cent of them are situated upstream. We will have to do plantation and had to conserve trees as well, which prevent erosion of soil. It can be done by public participation. We also have to prepare small stop dams to converse runoff water.”
Sudhindra Mohan Sharma
“Kshipra is indeed moving in the direction of becoming non-existent. When Kshipra was prosperously flowing with her own waters and so the city of temples Ujjain was prosperous, too. It had three major mills and two major factories in working condition, giving employment to thousands. The whole city could feel the action flow when the whistle of mill blew. But as Kshipra began to deteriorate, these mills also closed down, gradually, leaving behind drought of prosperity and welfare. People began to flee out of Ujjain for jobs. During last three years with support of forest department, almost one lakh saplings have been planted. Out of which 40,000 were planted in 2016. These 40,000 saplings have grown up and converted into dense forest. But this is not sufficient. This is just like a small drop in the ocean.”
Rajeev Pahwa
“If dead rivers could be rejuvenated, river Kshipra is still alive. It’s just sick and is in ICU. Why can’t it be? People only trust what they see. To make India drought and flood free, linking of rivers is not the solution. Solution is to slow the flow that is linking society and culture with rivers can only make India drought and flood free. India can become world leader by respecting neer, nari and nadi. Nari gives birth, but never is arrogant about it. Nari is datri – the giver. Neer is the beginning of life. Nadi represents the flow of culture and civilization along with financial and scientific flow too. By adopting basic nature of nature, only then, rivers can be rejuvenated. By recharging sub-surface aquifers, aquifers and deep aquifers, sustainable flow to Kshipra can be given. Hence, rejuvenation and reconstruction and not renovation and development will make Kshipra ever flowing. Panchmahabhut within us should be visible. It brings humility within us. Kshipra is our live heritage and keeping this is mind, her rejuvenation should be planned.”
Rajendra Singh
