In an effort to restore the lost legacy and culture, the Nila Vichara Vedi celebrated National River Festival on the bank of the river
Ambika JK
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(A pond is equal to ten wells, ten ponds to one reservoir and ten reservoir to one son. (But) a tree is equal to ten such sons.) Matsya Purana
Ancient Indian texts and men were loud and clear as far as thoughts were concerned. Even they thought, a tree is far more benevolent resource than a lake, even better than an offspring. When go deep into the concept, the thought is so enchanting that when a son is considered to be beneficial only to the parents, that too just for a lifetime, a tree is beneficial for the whole society, for the much longer time span, even post-death. All our epics and texts believed in the cohesive and tolerant relationship between nature and human beings, birds, reptiles, wild as well as domestic animals. They made stories and puzzles to convince us to stay connected with nature and inhabitants holistically. There were explicit intentions behind almost all our myths.
Somewhere in the process of progression over the period, we severed the umbilical cord in our relationship with nature. We walked away irresponsibly overlooking the legacy, culture, roots and heritage accumulated over thousands of years with a never-ending hunger to be modern and Western. We used, misused, polluted, molested and almost killed all our rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada etc. It takes several years to correct mistakes made in a minute. We have been committing mistakes for years, so rigorous and continuous rectifying action of multiple years will be required to correct those.
Forgotten is our traditional sacred approach to nature. This is particularly obvious in India where nature is often degraded or polluted. Down south, there is a river named Bharathappuzha, fondly called Nila, also known as Kerala Ganga. As the river Ganga has been the cradle of one of the oldest civilisations in the world, Bharathappuzha has been the source of inspiration, the lifeline of cultural Kerala, majorly south Malabar. Being the second longest river in Kerala, starting from Western Ghats forest, it travels almost 210 km before it reaches the Arabian Sea at Chamravattam, Nila’s contribution to Kerala is not limited to culture, trade, irrigation, art, literature or anything else which is material; it is also considered as the river, like Ganga, which helps to attain salvation. It is widely believed in Kerala that those who are cremated on the banks of Bharathappuzha, achieve salvation. Even famous artists and authors opted for the river banks to rest in peace.
Leave the rich legacy and heritage aside, the river is being tortured, used and misused for so long and the repercussion is being visible in a very unwelcoming form lately. Illegal sand mining and encroaching mafias are very active in almost all the Panchayats where Nila is present. Sometimes the hand in glove relationships between politicians and the government officials make it extremely difficult to stop this. Organisations, once very active, go silent due to this reason. Environmentalists and social activists were cognisant about the dire consequences and the untimely death of the river within near future and have been trying to spread the awareness among people. The river faces significant multiple challenges for its survival. It was also predicted that the river may change its course due to the bushes, plants and grass grown inside after the rigorous sand mining.
Some like-minded people who were ecstatically love with Nila, used to sit on her banks, reinventing the memories of those times when Nila used to be young and appealing. Sunset appears to be as beautiful as it used to be, but not the river, as it is already on death bed. In 2009, Nila Vicharavedi was formed as envisaged by Shri J Nandakumar (Then Saha Prant Pracharak of RSS, now the National Convener of Prajna Pravah). Though he was not born on the banks of Nila, he was in love with the river head to heel, drenched in the rain of influencing poetries written by great poets who loved and adored Nila. Being disappointed, anxious, worried and frustrated on ruthless activities by various authorities, they decided to coordinate like-minded people and spread awareness on the causality faced by the river. Neither their aim, nor the path or intention was to protest against any institution or government or non-government bodies. The intent was as beautiful and pure as Nila used to be! Rejuvenation, revival, and reincarnation of Nila!
Since Nila Vicharavedi was not designed to function under the umbrella of any political wing or principles, it was wholeheartedly welcomed and supported by prominent personalities from different walks of life. Veteran poet, ardent Nila lover Mahakavi Akitham, well known retired law experts Justice K T Shankaran, Justice Chettoor Shankaran Nair, author C Radhakrishnan, politicians like KT Jaleel MLA, K Radhakrishnan, bureaucrats like Vijayan IPS, District and Deputy Collectors, artists, film stars have extended their wholehearted support to the movement. Government non-government organisations like KILA, KFRI, AIR, Agricultural Universities, Calicut Kannur Universities, Kerala Kalamandalam, District Head Quarters etc are also associated, extended and assured their partnership.
Since Shri J Nandakumar has been associated with many eminent social activists, he was the one who introduced Nila to Late Shri Anil Madhav Dave (Former Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change) in 2013. Dave was passionate about the revival of river Narmada. He started Narmada Samagra, the organisation which worked and attained the revival of Narmada. He visited Bharathappuzha many times and started river ‘parikrama’ as well work to diagnose and study the real issue. Even after becoming the MoS, Dave found time for Nila, and was a never ending source of inspiration and support for the entire team. Nila Vichara Vedi and river Nila itself looked upto him as he was the North Star for the entire project and the team. Though destiny was different, and he is no more with us, the show must go on as the cause and reason is such.
Nila Vicharavedi this year as well organised awakening programmes for those who love and cherish Nila, right on her banks, at Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district in Kerala, as part of National River Festival 2017. It was spread between June 2-5 and Mahakavi Akkitham inaugurated the event on the evening of June 2 after paying tribute to the memory of late Shri Dave, left for heavenly abode recently, was scheduled to be attending the event, had he been alive. During his inaugural speech, Akkitham mentioned that it was just human greed which made Nila nothing less than a drainage. He also said, he had lost his sleep due to the recent cow slaughter incident by the followers of Gandhi in Kerala. First day programs started with Nilayanam, a dance drama depicting all 44 rivers of Kerala. Various Kerala’s own,
traditional, folklore art forms were also staged. Socially, culturally, environmentally, politically responsible people, activists, officials and scholars from different parts of India participated in the 4 days program along with students from various universities. Seminars and open discussions were conducted on subjects like, India – Land of Rivers, Bharathappuzha, Western Ghat – Aatirappilli-Plachimada, Water Literacy etc. Nila Vichara Sadas, Nila Nilavu, Water Literacy Program, Photo/ Video Exhibition, Short Film Fest based on the theme ‘Water’ were other programs staged as part of this year’s National River Festival. Media all over India, especially in Kerala had covered, discussed and commended the effort and event.
??? ???????? ????????:What is given by Him, allotted to you, after having renounced, you enjoy that. ?? ???: ?????????????. But we should not encroach upon other’s property (Isavasya Upanishad). Conservation doesn’t just mean saving for future, it also means a yield from the generation up!
(The writer is Balagokulam Delhi state Bhagini Pramukh)
