THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 12: MLA Saryu Roy, Chairman of Damodar Bachao Andolan and Patron of the Swarnarekha Mahotsav, today emphasized that the main goal of the festival is to protect the Swarnarekha River and raise public awareness to make it pollution-free.
He explained that the river, from its origin at Ranichua-Nagdi to its endpoint at the sea, can be categorized into five sections in terms of pollution levels. Currently, urban pollution poses a greater threat to the Swarnarekha River than industrial pollution.
Roy stressed the urgent need for an urban drainage development policy to address this issue. “Our festivals will only be meaningful if our rivers are free of pollution and flow continuously,” he stated.
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Justice Dr. S.N. Pathak, the chief guest at the event, highlighted the crucial role of youth in protecting the environment and water resources. He urged young people not to limit their efforts to protests but to actively contribute to preserving natural resources. “Fulfilling your duties towards the environment is one of the greatest contributions you can make to the country,” he said. Dr. Pathak also urged professionals and officials to step outside their routines and play an active role in safeguarding the environment. He praised Swami Vivekananda, not just as a saint but as a visionary who made education, culture, and human progress his foundation. “If we cannot save our culture, we cannot save our country,” he remarked, calling upon the youth to preserve their civilization and cultural heritage.
Retired DIG Sanjay Ranjan Singh also addressed the gathering, stating that rivers are the lifeblood of human civilization. He urged everyone to prioritize the cleanliness of rivers, warning that the destruction of rivers would lead to the collapse of human civilization. On the occasion of Youth Day, he encouraged young people to pledge their commitment to protecting rivers to ensure the survival of civilization.
The festival’s first day, January 12, celebrated Youth Day, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Justice Dr. S.N. Pathak and Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy jointly unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at Ranichua-Nagdi. Following the unveiling ceremony, they distributed blankets to attendees.
The program saw active participation from several prominent individuals, including Swarnarekha Mahotsav Convenor Tapeshwar Keshari, District Council Member Poonam Devi, Deputy Chief Vidyarani, Yugantar Bharti President Anshul Sharan, Secretary Ashish Sheetal, and community leaders such as Kedar Mahato, Chudamani Mahato, Dharmendra Tiwari, P.N. Singh, and Satyanarayan Mahato. Hundreds of villagers from surrounding areas also attended.
The event was conducted by Hemant Keshri, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Bajrang Mahato.