Conservation of rivers and environment is our fundamental duty as enshrined in our Constitution- Justice Prakash Shrivastava

New Delhi  : Indian society has always held rivers in the highest regard, considering them an integral part of our culture. In our country, rivers are not only considered sacred and revered, but are also the basis of material life for millions of Indians. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an institution dedicated to art and culture, has been organizing the ‘Nadi Utsav’ on a grand scale for the last few years. In continuation of this remarkable series, the fourth ‘Nadi Utsav’ organised by the Janapada Sampada Division and National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) of IGNCA started here at IGNCA.

The chief guest of this event was Hon’ble Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, the guest of honour was famous philosopher and scholar Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami. The head and spiritual guru of Parmarth Niketan, Swami Chidanand Saraswati graced the occasion as the special guest along with renowned environmentalist Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi. The chief patron of ‘Nadi Utsav’ Padmashree Ram Bahadur Rai, President, IGNCA and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA was also present.

On the first day of ‘Nadi Utsav’, the honored guests inaugurated three exhibitions. In an exhibition, 15 ghats of India have been depicted through the Sanjhi art tradition. This exhibition has been carried out by those joint artists, of whom only a few are left now. In the second exhibition, photographs saved from the river journey have been displayed. In the third exhibition, paintings made by students have been displayed. The present and future of India can be seen in these pictures of the child’s mind. On the first day, the Documentary Film Festival started with the screening of the 60-minute long film ‘Mahanadi’ directed by Jubanashva Mishra. Late in the evening, Shweta Devendra of Padmarang Dance Academy, Bhopal and her students enthralled everyone with their Bharatanatyam dance performance. He presented the dances ‘Dasavathaaram’ and ‘Kaliamardan’. On this occasion, the film catalogue of the fourth Nadi Utsav and the ‘Nadi Utsav’ souvenir were also released.

Speaking on the occasion Hon’ble Justice Prakash Shrivastava mentioned his first meeting with Shri Chidanand Saraswati at Sihastha Kumbha at the banks of Shipra River. He continued and mentioned how the Shipra River was facing challenges during the times and none other than Shri Chidnand Sarasawti talked and discussed the problems of Shipra and we need such a thought process pertaining to rivers in the contemporary times. He further reiterated that every major civilisation of the world was based around rivers, for instance the Egypt civilisation around River Nile and ‘Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata’ around Sindhu River (Indus River). Our culture believes in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam’ i.e. the whole world is one family and rivers are at the centre of that philosophy as it brings people together and binds us all in unity. In our culture and scripture rivers have been given high pedestal and in the same context he mentioned Article 51(A) which calls for Indian citizens to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures added Justice Prakash Shrivastava. He further said that many issues pertaining to rivers have come to NGT and it always attempts to do what is best for the rivers. He also said after swearing in as the Chairperson of NGT, attempts have been made that every district sends a compiled report pertaining to rivers, its health and level of pollution. He also urged that every individual has to create awareness within themselves. He concluded by saying that the industrialists should stop draining industrial waste into the river and further added that the river is the deity and every individual should resolve not to put any pollutant into the river.

While addressing the gathering Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami raised pertinent questions in context to rivers and asked, how can life be a celebration and can go on in the same state? Elaborating on the same he said we ourselves have to take the initiative and introspect as to why human life has ceased to become a celebration. He continued and answered the question he raised earlier and said it is because the site of celebration that is the earth is not the same as it was earlier in lack of clean water bodies and our rivers. He thanked IGNCA for undertaking such a noble initiative such as ‘Nadi Utsav’. In the course of his speech he referred to Gargi and said the earth has been knitted on the basis of water and that is why water and rivers should be conserved and kept clean. He also quoted Krishna from the scriptures where Krishna says, “We will ourselves have to take the first step” and that following this Krishna disintegrated Kalia. He concluded by message of Krishna and said if Lord Krishna can finish Pollution as quoted in the scripture why can’t humans do the same in the contemporary times. He also cautioned in the end and said if the network of rivers collapses humans will collapse too.

Speaking as the Chairman of the session, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai spoke about the plight of Yamuna. Narrating an incident from 1986, he said that the condition of Yamuna at that time and now remains the same. He expressed hope that the condition of Yamuna will improve after Justice Shri Prakash Srivastava has taken over as the Chairman of NGT.

In the inaugural session, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi said in the welcome speech that in the Indian tradition and in the Indian environment, the river is not just a geographical unit for us, which provides us water. The river is an emotional entity for us, a spiritual entity, and a subject of faith. This session was moderated by Shri Abhay Mishra, Assistant Director of NMCM and Dr K. Anil. Kumar HoD of Janapad Sampada, IGNCA gave a formal vote of thanks.