Liquor shops to be closed on banks of Narmada river

Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that capital punishment should be given to those who are destroying dignity of daughters. Amendment in the Constitution should be made if needed. Describing the addiction as reason of destruction, he said that intensive drive will be run by the state government and society for de-addiction. Liquor shops would be closed on the banks of Narmada. The Chief Minister was addressing Jan-Sanvad programme today in Hoshangabad in Narmada Seva Yatra. Religious heads were present on Sethani Ghat to bless Narmada Seva Yatra.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan announced that cave of Adi Shankaracharya located in Omkareshwar on the bank of the Narmada would be revived. He said that Narmada is a river which gives life. Thirty percent of land of the state is getting irrigation facility from Narmada river. Credit for four-time Krishi Karman Award, the state received goes to farmers and the Narmada. Plan is being chalked out to revive Gambhir, Parvati and Kalisindh rivers connecting them with the river Narmada. Shri Chouhan said that drying of rivers is an indication of serious crisis. Narmada gives holy water but excessive exploitation was done because of greedy nature human. He said that trees giving life to the river were felled and because of this, the stream in the river has shrunk. He said that this is time for seeking apology and express regret. Sewage is going in the river in cities located near the Narmada. A plan will be implemented for treatment of water by setting up plants and spending Rs 1500 crore on them. Recycled water will be given for farming. It is duty of every citizen to make Narmada pollution-free.

The Chief Minister said that farmers residing on the banks of river will be given facility for planting fruit-bearing trees. Fruit routes will be developed for this. Shri Chouhan administered resolution for maintaining cleanliness on banks of Narmada, use organic fertilisers, curb pollution due to dumping of pujan material and stop tradition of dispose of dead bodies in the river. Administering further resolution for imparting education to children, he said that the government will bear the expenditure of study of talented students in case of admission in national educational institutes. Shri Chouhan said that the biggest campaign for river and environment protection is underway on the bank of Narmada river. He appealed devotees of Narmada and common people that they should participate in Narmada Seva Yatra and contribute for making the river cleaned. He administered resolution for participating in maintaining Narmada river cleaned. Shri Chouhan thanked 150 Yatris who were with the Yatra since its beginning.

Spiritual saint Shri Rawatpura Sarkar described Narmada Seva Yatra as welfare effort. He blessed the Chief Minister that he would continue to serve for humanity.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Seetasaran Sharma said that the history is repeating itself through Narmada Seva Yatra. Centuries before, Bhagirath has done penance for bringing Ganga for public welfare. In the modern time, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan is working with resolution to purify mother Narmada for public welfare.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio said that he respect all the recognized cultural traditions as an Indian citizen. He further mentioned that this unique initiative of Chief Minister will bring changes in the attitude of the people. This is not possible by law. He said that these efforts will purify the Narmada banks. Moreover this effort to conserve river and environment is a work of human welfare. This gives life. He said that students should be educated to save environment. Giving example from Bible, he said clean water of rivers brings good health.

Renowned Film Maker and Director Shri Prakash Jha said that Narmada River is giving life since ages. He mentioned that the stone of pious river Narmada is being worshiped everywhere. If there is Narmada, there is life. Love Narmada, protect it and keep it clean. Padamshree Shri Vijaydutt Shreedhar said that results will be obtained early if Dharmasatta gets connected with the river conservation. He mentioned that the resolution of the Chief Minister for Narmada Seva will get success.

Famous Dhrupad Singer Shri Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha brothers and their foreign disciples recited Narmadashtak on the occasion. President Madhya Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shri Rameshchandra Agarwal said that by conducting more Narmada seva, we will get more results and joy.

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan and the guests released souvenir on Narmada Seva Yatra and glory of Narmada. They congratulated Hoshangabad nagar palika to become free from open defecation. The Chief Minister handed over the Golden Book of Record certificate to Minister of State and District incharge Shri Suryaprakash Meena received for the biggest human chain formed to take pledge to conserve Narmada. The programme was begun with Kanya Poojan. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan and his wife Smt. Sadhana Singh performed the Kanya Poojan. The programme was concluded with Aarti of Maa Narmada.

Devotees in large number came from Hoshangabad and nearby districts were present on the occasion. Chairman Madhya Pradesh Gou-Sanvardhan Board Mahamandaleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand and Shri Bhaiyya Ji Sarkar of Narmada Mission blessed the Narmada yatra. Olympic Medal Winner Wrestler Shri Sushil Kumar, Famous Cine Actor Govind Namdev, Litterateur Shri Ramesh Chandra Shah, Shri Mahesh Shrivastava of Madhya Pradesh Ekta Parishad, Shri Sudesh Shandilya of Karunadham Ashram were present to express their support towards the Narmada Seva Yatra.

Minister for Forest Dr. Gourishankar Shejwar, MPs Rao Uday Pratap Singh, Smt. Jyoti Dhurve, Minister of State for Horticulture Shri Suryaprakash Meena, Chairman Madhya Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Shri Shiv Choubey, Chairman M.P. Warehousing Corporation Shri Rajendra Singh, Former Minister Shri Sartaj Singh, MLAs, Office Bearers of Jila and Janpad Panchayats were present on the occasion.

Narmada Seva Yatra accorded Grand Welcome

A remarkable welcome was accorded to the yatra by the people on its 36rd day on reaching Hoshangabad. The Chief Minister holding kalash and flag of yatra participated in yatra from old persons park to Sethani Ghat. Shri Chouhan also inaugurated the exhibition organized by Environmental pollution control board and undertook plantation. He also inspected the Narmada Swachchata exhibition organized by the students. The Chief Minister was accorded grand welcome during his 3 kilometer yatra on foot by the large number of people. The entire Hoshangabad city was reverberated with the sound of Narmada acclamation. All the sections of the society welcomed the Chief Minister and showered flowers to welcome the Narmada Seva Yatri.