By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Rishikesh, 22 Mar: World Water Day is a special day to raise awareness on the global water crisis. This year’s theme is “Valuing Water”.
A World Water Day celebration was held at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, in partnership with the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) Swarovski Waterschools, in association with the Ganga Action Parivar (GAP) and the Divine Shakti Foundation. Young water champions joined forces to share their songs, videos, art, theater and spoken word performances. They vowed to spread the word that now is the time for all to save water and protect the environment.
The GIWA team, led by co-founder Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan, has been training communities surrounding Rishikesh and in villages on how to lead their own areas towards a Swachhta Kranti or Clean Revolution. In addition, GIWA through the WaterSchools has been educating students, teachers and principals through a specialised curriculum based on how to value water, sanitation, and hygiene. This programme is working in over 60 schools. GIWA has been supporting communities by constructing toilets and hand-washing stations for schools in need.
The celebration began in front of the Parmath Niketan ashram this morning on the Ganga Ghat with students. Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati inspired and ignited passion for a people’s led movement for water conservation. Sadhvi Bhagwati said, “The cycle of life is intricately linked to water. If we don’t protect this sacred resource it won’t be long until we will have no more water. The time to act is now!”
Swami Chidanand Saraswati shared, “The time has come when we must value water. Without water there is no life. We must lead more water and environmental conscious lives.”
The GIWA team and Parmarth Rishikumars joined the two in a rally taken around the Parmarth Niketan campus in support of water conservation.
Following the rally, the World Water Day at Parmarth Niketan hosted an art competition. Students from across the region demonstrated their talent to share their messages about water. A grand stage programme was also held, during which children showed their flair in telling the dramatic stories of water, nature and the plight of the River Ganga. The WaterSchools initiative was also showcased.
