The Pious; The Pure
YET
The (IM)Pure GANGA
Some two hundred and fifty kilometers away from Delhi, at Devprayag (Uttarakhand) (meaning Godly Confluence), two rivers namely Alaknanda originating from Satopnath glacier and Bhagirathi originating from Gomukh meet and thereon, The mighty river Ganga takes form. If you ever happen to visit Sangam as they call it, you will witness the most magnificent sight. According to Hindu Mythology, confluence of two godly rivers in their purest forms with high currents give birth to the pure, the pious Ganga. River Ganga thereon, takes it's course flowing down to Rishikesh, allowing splendid views from Lakshman Jhula reaching further to divine city of Haridwar.. The waters of Ganga at birth are pure, sea green yet icy blue.
But as it enters the God city of Haridwar, it gets maligned. I mean it. Not because it washes people off their sins (as they say), but because people carry on their daily necessary routines on the banks of river Ganga. I was in Haridwar from 12 June 2016 Sunday to 13 June 2016 Monday. I stayed at Hotel Alaknanda, a government owned well run, well maintained property.The hotel has it's personal ghat as it is built on the same stretch as that of "Har ki Pauri". I along with my family were taking a dip in the mighty "Mother" river Ganga on private ghat of Hotel Alaknanda. Suddenly, something flows to me and strikes my belly. I pick it up and throw out. What is it? A corn, an eaten corn. In Hindi, we call it "challi or "bhutta". And thereon, the saga of dirt, waste, leftovers, eatables flowing to and through me continues. And i do nothing but watch it happen helplessly. I reach a bit ahead of "Har ki Pauri" later the same day and i see a man washing his clothes in the river.
River Ganga which symbolizes purity carries dirt, waste, throwaways and left overs of the people of Haridwar and tourists too. Furthermore, devotees give in their offerings to the river at Har ki Pauri in forms of fruits, burning camphor, coins by leaving it in the waters of Ganga. And Suddenly, the blue sea green waters of Ganga turn dark grey as they make their way through Haridwar towards other regions of the nation.
It seems as if Nature sings the old song in perfect irony ~ "Raam teri Ganga maili ho gayi, paapiyon ke paap dhote dhote".
It is commendable how the roadways have improved and are improving between Delhi and Haridwar facilitating increase in tourism and trade. It is high time, The government of Haridwar (Uttarakhand) should draw their attention to the cleansing of river Ganga. I do not suggest any One hundred thousand crore budget for the same. Instead, i suggest the government should provide solutions to the people of the city regarding problems that compel them to make use of the river making it dirty. The government should educate and entice people to look into the matters of cleanliness of River Ganga and contribute in their own little ways by not flowing there offerings in the river and many more like it.
It seems as if Nature sings the old song in perfect irony ~ "Raam teri Ganga maili ho gayi, paapiyon ke paap dhote dhote".
It is commendable how the roadways have improved and are improving between Delhi and Haridwar facilitating increase in tourism and trade. It is high time, The government of Haridwar (Uttarakhand) should draw their attention to the cleansing of river Ganga. I do not suggest any One hundred thousand crore budget for the same. Instead, i suggest the government should provide solutions to the people of the city regarding problems that compel them to make use of the river making it dirty. The government should educate and entice people to look into the matters of cleanliness of River Ganga and contribute in their own little ways by not flowing there offerings in the river and many more like it.
I wrote not to grab personal attention,
but to grab everyone's attention on the need of the hour.
Save Rivers, Save Water
हरी जाकें हरिद्वार रहे थे
चलो चलें हरिद्वार
हरी के द्वार अब मैल मचा है
हरी फ़िर ढूंढें हैं द्वार