Narmada River Will Example of Cleanliness in Country: Rustam Singh

Bhopal. Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare Shri Rustam Singh said that Narmada River is a lifeline river of Madhya Pradesh. People of the state get electricity, irrigation and potable water from Narmada River. It is our responsibility to keep Narmada River clean and protected with public participation. He further mentioned that Narmada River will become example of cleanliness in the coming years in the entire country. Shri Singh was addressing the Jan-Sanvad programme at village Gola and Singone on 4th day of Narmada Seva yatra in Harda district. Chairman Tourism Development Corporation Shri Tapan Bhoumik, Chairman Handicrafts Development Corporation Shri Narayan Kabirpanthi, Collector Shri Shrikant Banoth and Police Superintendent Shri Aditya Pratap Singh were present on the occasion.

Narmada Seva Yatra proceeded from village Handia on its 4th day. Group Aarti was performed on the shore of Narmada River before beginning of the yatra. Bhajans were presented by the villagers. Narmada Seva Yatra reached village Malpon first where women holding kalashs on their heads welcomed the yatra. Attractive rangolis were prepared all over the village. Pledge towards sanitation of Narmada River was administered to the villagers at village Malpon. Songs focusing environment conservation were presented by the school kids. From here, Yatra reached its next destination village Gola. Health Minister Shri Singh told the villagers that they are fortunate to live on the banks of Narmada River. He mentioned that the Narmada Seva yatra has been started on the initiative of the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan from the origin point of Narmada i.e. Amarkantak from December 11. He said that Narmada originating from Vindhya hills Amarkantak travels One thousand 77 kilometer passing through 16 districts of the state. Four crore people of the state get potable water from Narmada River. The state government has decided that fruit plantation will be undertaken on both the banks of Narmada. The plantation will be carried out on government and private land. Shri Singh said that farmers will become economically prosper by undertaking fruits plantation. He urged the villagers to keep Narmada banks clean. Kunds will be constructed on the shores to immerse poojan material. We all can see Narmada River clean and pure if we decide not to dispose off polluted material in the river, he added.

Jan-Sanvad programme was held at the Government Middle School during next destination of yatra at village Sigone. In the beginning of the programme, pledge was administered to the large number of villagers to keep Narmada River clean. Minister Shri Rustam Singh said that Narmada Seva yatra will cover 1100 villages situated on the banks of Narmada in 144 days. Yatra will be culminated on May 11. He mentioned that Narmada do not originate from glacier, it gets water from the trees of the forest. We all have to protect the existing trees and to plant new trees. He further said that formation of Narmada Seva Comittees is a good step. He mentioned that more and more women should be included in the committees.

Cycle Riders in Narmada Seva Yatra

Two bicycle riders Shri Sardar and Shri B.K. Hindustani are also accompanying the yatra. Sixty years old Shri Sardar said that he belongs to village Kankar kheda of Ichhawar Tahsil of Sehore District. He told that Narmada Seva Yatra is a good initiative of the state government. He is participating in the yatra getting inspired by this.

Shri B.K. Hindustani belongs to Aanwri ghat of Seoni Malwa of district Hoshnagabad. He told he is born on the bank of Narmada river. Narmada water is decreased during the last many years. This is the matter of concern for Madhya Pradesh. Shri Hindustani was accompanying yatra from Amarkantak. He said that if youths become aware, they can make Narmada river best in the country. Bhanvri Baba carrying Damru of Lord Shiva is also participating in the yatra. He said that he is making efforts to generate awareness among the villagers towards river conservation by the sound of Damru. He mentioned that this is not a political yatra but it is a yatra of social change. We will be remembered by generations if we ensured plantation on both the shores of Narmada River. Yatra’s last destination of the day is Narmadapura. Vice Chairman of Jan-Abhiyan Parishad Shri Prabhat Pandey is accompanying the yatra.