Shipra Pathak, known as the ‘Water Woman of India,’ has expressed deep gratitude to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his extraordinary efforts in maintaining the cleanliness of the Triveni Sangam and the broader Mahakumbh region. Pathak, who is leading the ‘Ek Thaila, Ek Thali’ campaign for water and environmental conservation at the ongoing Mahakumbh, hailed CM Yogi’s commitment to both environmental protection and spiritual governance.
The ‘Water Woman’ of India, visibly overwhelmed by the pristine cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of the Triveni Sangam, lauded the leadership behind the management of the Kumbh. “The level of cleanliness here is extraordinary. This beautiful arrangement is the result of efforts by a leader who, besides being a Chief Minister, is also a Sadhak, Yogi, and Sanyasi. The Kumbh is very close to his heart, and no one could have managed it better than him,” Pathak said. She praised CM Yogi as the most popular Chief Minister in the country, highlighting the widespread admiration for him across India.
Shipra Pathak’s work as an environmental activist has gained national attention. She is actively leading the ‘Ek Thali, Ek Thaila’ campaign, which focuses on promoting water conservation and reducing plastic waste at the Mahakumbh. So far, lakhs of eco-friendly bags and plates have been distributed across the region to encourage devotees to replace plastic with sustainable alternatives.
During her visit to Mahakumbh, Pathak shared a memorable experience from her journey. “In November last year, I walked from Ayodhya to Rameswaram. When I told people in Karnataka that I came from Ayodhya, their response was, ‘That’s Yogi’s Uttar Pradesh.’ The fact that the largest state in India is identified with Yogi ji even in a small village in Karnataka speaks volumes about Maharaj ji’s service, commitment, and principles from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” she recalled.
Shipra Pathak has walked an astonishing 13,000 kilometers across India to raise awareness about water and environmental conservation. Through her organisation, Panchtatva, which has 15 lakh members, she has also helped plant 25 lakh saplings along riverbanks. At Mahakumbh, she has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about maintaining cleanliness, focusing on distributing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and educating people about sustainable practices.
“The aim of our campaign is not just to ensure clean rivers but to preserve our culture and heritage. While we strive to keep our rivers clean, it is essential to preserve our cultural practices. Rivers can be cleaned with machines, but without cultural preservation, the Mahakumbh celebrations on the riverbanks will cease to exist in the future,” Pathak emphasised.
Pathak’s dedication to the preservation of water bodies and the environment is deeply personal. She explained, “Since childhood, I’ve had a deep connection with water. My parents named me Shipra, after the river. While traveling abroad for work, I noticed how clean the rivers there were, despite not being worshipped as goddesses. It made me wonder why our rivers couldn’t be the same.” Her travels and spiritual journey have given her a profound understanding of the importance of clean rivers in the well-being of society.
A turning point in her environmental journey was her experience with the Narmada Parikrama. “I observed that where Maa Narmada flows cleanly and uninterrupted, people’s finances, health, and development thrive. But where the river is polluted, lives are adversely affected. This realisation led to my renunciation,” she shared. Her commitment to preserving India’s rivers and forests led her to walk along the Shipra and Gomti rivers and embark on a long journey from Ayodhya to Rameswaram.
Pathak’s vision extends beyond merely imagining a new India; she is dedicated to preserving the essence of ancient India and passing it on to future generations. “Our aim is to preserve the cultural heritage passed down through generations, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same spiritual and physical benefits from these rivers,” she emphasised.
She concluded with a powerful statement, “Snan (ritual bath) in the Triveni Sangam not only offers salvation but also promotes physical health. A healthy body is essential to achieving salvation, and preserving our rivers ensures a healthy future for all.”
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