By Venkat Ramakrishnan | Project Leader
Dear Patrons,
India's major rivers are dying because of lack of nurturing
and rejuvenation, contamination, and failing rains in the
areas where it's needed. It's in everyone's interest in India
that we take care of our rivers and pass them on in a
better fashion to the upcoming generation, especially given
the India's population of 1.4 billion people, a whopping 18%
of the world's total population!
Towards this objective, Isha Foundation Trust's founder
Sadhguru initiated the "Rally For Rivers" program, wherein
he is travelling from the southmost end of the country to
the North on a month-long trip. The objective of this trip
is to create awareness among the general public, and make
them partners in this initiative by giving a missed call to
an Indian mobile no. (+91-80009 80009). The no. of calls
will serve as the no. of signatures to push the government
to device a policy to plant trees 1 km wide on each side of
the river, so that the rivers get rejunevated, soil erosion is
avoided by the trees and water levels along these areas
are maintained for future use.
Awareness of this program was done by the school coordinators
and the students of 4 mandals (zones) in the Andhra Pradesh
govt. schools that have been adopted by Isha Education Trust.
Shares Mr. Umapathi, who is the lead for the AP govt.
school adoption program:
"Saving rivers is the need of the hour and this fire lit by
Sadhguru has spread in AP also. We motivated to give
missed calls. School coordinators while going for any official
work to any of the govt. departments, explained the importance
of saving the rivers and made them to give missed calls, Many
nearby joined on their own and their body languages showed
that they too wanted to participate in this campaign.
On Friday, the 1st of September, a standathon happened
in the schools of all the four divisions - Chittoor, Tirupati,
Madanapalli, and Puttur. School coordinators took the initiative
in all the places. Teachers and students participated
enthusiastically. I got the opportunity to participate in the
Puttur mandal, as I had my visit scheduled there on that day!"
We are attaching pictures of the campaign for your view.
Creating awareness among young children about issues of
national importance is pretty important, especially for an issue
that's hurting us, the water scarcity, soil erosion, etc., in many
ways. It's heartening to see that Isha Education is participating
in this activity!
Note: No last names or surnames of individuals are mentioned
in this report.
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