On Pongal, let’s pledge to preserve our rivers

On two occasions every year we experience a change in our relationship with the Sun. On December 22 this period is called as “Uthrayanam” and on June 21 it is called as “Dakshinayanam”. Uthrayanam denotes a prosperous period. 

But, in the last one year, our farmers who feed us have been going through very difficult times. There is not enough rain. Rivers are going dry. If we ignore this now and fail to attend to the situation, we would certainly be facing its huge impact in the coming days. During my childhood, I used to dive and swim in the Cauvery every single day. Today,merely looking into the river, the way it is, moves me to tears. 

Some reports say our rivers are drying up at an average of 8 per cent every year. If the situation continues, our perennial rivers would run dry for few months each year within the next 15-20 years. The probability for this situation to occur is quite high. We have done some research in the last 4-5 years and after consulting with a group of scientists we have drafted out a plan. By doing some basic things right, we can retain our water sources. There are two things to be accomplished. One is to retain our soil fertility and the second is to ensure that our rivers flow at full capacity. This is very important for our lives and for the generations to come. By accomplishing these, we can increase the capacity of our river streams by at least 20 per cent. 

We are in discussion with few state governments and the central government. Farmer leaders, our governments and media should join hands to make this happen. This is our fundamental responsibility. 

We are planning to conduct a rally to create awareness about this endeavour. The rally would have a central theme of bringing our rivers back. It will be a two-way rally from Leh Ladakh to Kanniyakumari and from Kanniyakumari to New Delhi. Hundreds of concerned people are expected to take part in this huge rally. Awareness would be created among farmers and the public in the course of the rally. If we fail to accomplish necessary changes on time, our future would be bleak. We should take our future in our hands. To achieve this we should save our soil and rivers,this is the most important thing now. 

At the same time,on this auspicious occasion, let the Pongal celebrations happen in joy. As we celebrate the festival, let us take this responsibility in our hands- the responsibility that “we will function in alignment to that which is essential for our fundamental well being”. I am with you in this!

I wish everyone a Happy Pongal!