Narmada Seva Yatra halts and Narmada Seva Mission commences

Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that when feeling of ‘authority’ becomes strong and the ‘duty’ becomes weak, it gives rise to several environmental problems. He said that rivers are becoming extinct because the feeling of duty towards river conservation has become less. At such a time, the work of Narmada Seva will prove to be a Mahayagya to awaken the dutifulness in people.

Prime Minister Modi was addressing Narmada Sevaks at a grand ceremony on the occasion of the inauguration of Narmada Seva Mission and completion of “Namami Devi Narmade” - Seva Yatra in Amarkantak today. He said that by saying Pranam to the Narmada Sevaks one gets the benefit of Narmada Seva. This blessing will come handy in the service to Maa Bharti and to usher in prosperity in the lives of the poor. He said that Narmada Parikrama can destroy ego. Lauding Madhya Pradesh government, Chief Minister and citizens he said that they have become aware towards river conservation well on time. Citing an example of a river in Kerala he said that today there are many rivers that have no water. He said that because Narmada river does not originate from a glacier, it appears from the prasad of plants. Hence there is no alternative to protect it other than planting saplings in a large scale. He said that we should do something that coming generations always remember us just as today we remember our ancestor. Just as rivers gave life to ancestors, we too should give life to the rivers.

Modi said that Narmada Seva Yatra is an impossible and extraordinary incident in the world when lakhs of people resolved to protect a river. He congratulated the Chief Minister, people of Madhya Pradesh and devotees connected with Narmada Seva for this unusual work. This work is of global importance.

Modi said that amazing work has been done in Madhya Pradesh for river
conservation. During this Yatra, 25 lakh people resolved to save the river. Madhya Pradesh has taken a big step. He congratulated the Madhya Pradesh government and citizens on behalf of the citizens and farmers of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. He said that people of Gujarat know how important is every drop of water of the Narmada.

M.P leading in the country in cleanliness - PM

Discussing the cleanliness campaign the Prime Minister said that public participation is the greatest strength of democracy. By ignoring people’s participation, no government can be a success. For this people’s support is must. Madhya Pradesh has presented the best example in this direction. He said that Madhya Pradesh was lagging in the field of cleanliness, but with people’s participation and firm resolve today it leads in the country. Twenty-two cities of Madhya Pradesh are included among the 100 clean cities of the country. Indore is first while Bhopal has acquired the second position in the whole country. This clearly indicates that both the people’s participation and administration have jointly done the job. This example is going to inspire other states.

Narmada Seva Mission Work-plan Perfect Document – PM

The Prime Minister said that the success of Narmada Seva Yatra is the result of the strength and support of the public. He said that if one worries about new trees, the environment will also be healthy. Discussing the work-plan of the Narmada Seva Mission he said that this is a ‘Perfect Document’. Send this to all the states because this presents a model of protecting natural resources. He said that if the Agriculture Development Rate of Madhya Pradesh is more than 20 per cent then this is a contribution of the Narmada river. The Prime Minister said that a goal has been set to double the income of farmers by year 2022. In this direction also Madhya Pradesh has prepared a scheme. He said that in year 2022, we will be completing 75 years of independence. He called upon citizens to recall 75 years of independence every moment and resolve to make constructive contribution for the country. He said that people should be committed to contribute for one’s institute, one’s village, family, state and country. He said that we are moving ahead with the dream of building a new India. Every citizen has to be connected in this work.

Every citizen must attempt on how best he can contribute in this work. He said that if the citizen moves one’s step ahead, the country will move 125 crore steps ahead.

River Conservation-Environmental Purity Study Faculty to open in University
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan entrusted the Narmada Seva Mission work-plan to the Prime Minister. He announced to open a department in the university for the study of conservation of rivers and environmental purity. The Chief Minister said that looking at the environmental and spiritual importance of Amarkantak it would be made a mini smart city. This would be the state’s first Mini Smart City.

Chouhan said that the Narmada Seva Yatra acquired support of every class and 25 lakh people connected with Narmada Seva. He said that this has become a social movement. Liquor shops with 5 km radius of the banks of Narmada have been closed. Now all villages have become aware towards river conservation. Nearly 80 thousand Narmada Sevaks have connected permanently with this work. Large scale tree plantation will be undertaken on the banks of Narmada on July 2. Vriksh Sevaks will be available to take up the responsibility for its protection. He said that this year 12 crore saplings would be planted. Out of this, 6 crore saplings would be planted on July 2. Next year 15 crore saplings would be planted. Saplings of local species would be planted. Efforts would be made for the incessant flow of Narmada. Every drop of waste-water will be stopped from entering Narmada for which Sewage Treatment Plants would be set up. Organic farming and solar energy is being encouraged.

Chouhan said that Narmada would not be allowed to get destroyed for sand. Mining work be done on the advice of scientists. No kind of mining will be allowed on the mountains of Amarkantak. He said that he himself would lead the Narmada Seva Mission. Narmada Seva Samitis have begun working in villages. The work-plan of Narmada Seva Mission will be implemented in collaboration with the society. Every resolution of the Prime Minister would be fulfilled by Madhya Pradesh. From next year the work of conservation of Kshipra, Tapti, Betwa, Chambal and other rivers will commence. The report of the progress of the Narmada Seva Mission work-plan will be dedicated to the public after one year.

Chief Minister modern Bhagirath for MP– Swami Avdheshanand

Terming the Prime Minister as Rashtra Rishi and a personality with a combination of decency, culture and sensitivity, Acharya Mahamandleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri said that he has installed India at the top. He said that the commencement of Narmada Seva Mission is a moment of the Shasak, Prashasak and Upasak working together. He said that Narayan is present in Water’ (Neer mein hi Narayan hai). On the importance of water, he said that there is natural demand for water. This is life. There is water shortage. This mission of Madhya Pradesh is relevant and timely so that there is no dearth of water in future. He said that India is busy in the worship of water and work is being undertaken in this direction under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He said that it is no exaggeration to say that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has proved to be a modern Bhagirath for the state.

By organizing Simhastha he proved to be a modern Vikramaditya. Calling the Prime Minister an avatar on the Indian soil he said that his presence has made the country fearless and the country’s future is safe. Avdheshanand said that this module of river conservation will go everywhere in the country.

Forest Minister Dr. Gaurishankar Shejwar

Discussing the objective of Narmada Seva Yatra Forest Minister Dr. Gaurishankar Shejwar said that this is a fully scientific and spiritual yatra. Through this yatra lakhs of people have become more aware towards river conservation. Now every citizen is careful not to let even a drop of dirty water enter the Narmada river.

PM released book “Narmada Pravah”

At the onset the Chief Minister handed over the Narmada Seva Yatra dhwaj and kalash to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister released the book “Narmada Pravah”. The Chief Minister administered the resolve of Narmada Seva to the people. A large number of Narmada Sevaks, Union Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste, MP Gyan Singh, MP and State BJP President Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan, Minister of State for Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises Sanjay Pathak, Seers community, State Cabinet members, MPs, MLAs, and other people’s representatives were present on the occasion.-WTN