With Pujya Swamiji’s inspiration and leadership, this Mother’s Day was ushered in with a commitment and a call to action to keep our Mother Earth and Mother Ganga clean, green and serene.
Global Interfaith WASH Alliance organised a cleanliness and plantation drive in the Raiwala Army Cantt area, just 12 kms from Haridwar, in between Haridwar and Rishikesh.
When members of the Army Cant had visited the Ganga Aarti, Pujya Swamiji had inspired them to adopt their local railway station and ensure that it remains clean, green and serene for all. Pujya Swamiji had said that time had come that their arms (ammunition) not only protect their nation but their actual arms, hands and hearts come together to protect and preserve Mother Earth.
The Army took up the Clean India pledge and started planning for a massive event to kick start the efforts. On Mother Earth Day a few weeks ago members of Ganga Action Parivar and Army officials meet to survey the area and plan for the clean up drive as well as chart out the long term management plan. With the Railways Ministers full support through the Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat initiative volunteers were eager and enthusiastic to do their part to keep their community and public places clean. Finally the first massive clean up post the Ganga Gyan Dhara workshop, as an effort to combine dialogue and discussion with on the ground action and participation.
Pujya Swamiji led participants of the Ganga Gyan Dhara and Indian Institute of Public Adminstration team along with Parmarth Gurukul students, local residents and activists to collect garbage, plastic, polythene and waste material. The Army organised and coordinated the drive, invited and engaged local schools and provided JCB machines and trucks for the cleanliness drive. Pujya Swamiji commended Brig Sandeep Soodji, Commander 150 Field Regiment for this beautiful initiative and assured him that the Ganga Action Parivar, Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) is always there to support these noble efforts.
Rishikesh MLA Prem Chand Aggarwal, Zero Waste Inc -Solid Waste Management Company and students of Army Public School, Guru Nanak Public High School, Gangotri Vidya Niketan, PG College and Seema Dental College also contributed in the cleanliness drive.
As many as 108 saplings were planted on the occasion. It will be looked after by Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh.
