Nitya Samachar UK
Rishikesh: Today’s beautiful Himalaya Diwas celebrations at Parmarth Niketan were a beautiful reminder of the importance of the revered mountain chain to both Indians and the world, as Ministers, Experts and Stakeholders from across the state and the country joined together for a special celebrations inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami, President of Parmarth Niketan, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Founder of HESCO (Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization), Padamshri Dr Anil P Joshi, Swami Govind Dev Giri, Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Former Governor of Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of Uttarakhand Subodh Uniyal, Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly, Ritu Khanduri, MLA Renu Bisht and others.
They gathered together on the holy banks of Maa Ganga, in the lap of the Himalayas, to discuss ways to ensure that the Himalayas remain a clean and pristine source of health, wellness and inspiration well into the future – especially as climate insecurity increases across the globe. They urged that the Himalayas act as a climate protector – a climate governor – for not only 18 countries in Asia but for the world. Thanks to their unfailing efforts, these mountains have protected this region from the worst effects of climate change but, even so, Himalayan glaciers have lost 18 percent of their mass since 1975 – and the melting rate of these water “banks” has recently increased unexpectedly. It is becoming increasingly apparent that we need to do more than just think and talk about ways that we can improve and strengthen the Himalayas governorship of the region’s climate – we must act! This is why this event was organised to inspire just that – action. To act to preserve and protect, improve and strengthen the increasingly fragile Himalayas, which serves as the world’s water tower and carbon sink!
Swami Chidanand & Padamshri Dr Anil Joshi planned to this year’s Himalaya Diwas celebrations at Parmarth Niketan, inviting scientists and concerned government ministers and stakeholders.
After a beautiful inaugural session in the ongoing Ekal Shri Ram Katha by Famous Shri Ram Kathakar, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri ; that featured special address by Dr. Joshi explaining the need for Himalaya Diwas, Swam Chidanand blessings and inspiring message to serve the Himalayas, as well as special addresses by Baby Rani Maurya and Subodh Uniyal and the keynote address of Chief Minister Pushkar singh Dhami.
In his address, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami stated: “We all must work together for the conservation and protection of the Himalayas, as well as for sustainable development. We must unite for development and the economy, and for the environment and ecology. To keep the air, water, soil and forests of our country pollution free, the Himalayas must be made clean and pollution free. As the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi says, ‘ Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan-Jai Anusandhan.’
“During the Harela festival in Uttarakhand, we share a message of nature and environmental protection by planting saplings for a month. The oxygen we are breathing today is the result of the plants planted by our ancestors, so we must continue to plant saplings for our future generations.” The Chief Minister then administered an oath to all the distinguished guests and visitors for the promotion of Green Himalayas, and shared information about all of the events and seminars occurring in the Himalayan states over the coming days as well as plans for a larger Himalaya Diwas celebration next year inviting Chief Ministers and Policy Makers of all Himalayan States.
Swami Chidanand, in His message, expressed concern over the melting glaciers of Iceland, Greenland and the Himalayas and said that “every person has to become a guardian of the Himalayas because if the Himalayas thrive, we thrive and, if there are the Himalayas, then there is Ganga. No mountain range in the world has the power to provide life, courage and prosperity to society as the Himalayas do. The Himalayas have positively influenced the lives of the masses. The Himalayas have made an important contribution in shaping India. The Himalayas are a sacred heritage of India’s material richness, divinity, natural splendor, cultural beauty and spirituality that has preserved Indian values.
“Most of the rivers of North India originate from the Himalayas. The soul of India resides in the lap of the Himalayas, covered with white sheets of snow. The Himalayas are not only the source of our life, but also quench the thirst of a large population of India. This is why it is called the ‘water tower of the earth’. Together, we must promote peace tourism, oxygen tourism, yoga and meditation tourism. We must preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Himalayas.”
During the inaugural ceremony, a powerful new video – filmed during Param Pujya Swamiji’s recent yatra to Iceland and Greenland and depicting the devastating effects of climate change in those Arctic nations – was premiered. “Protecting Our Glaciers: A Himalaya Diwas Sankalp” illustrates the worldwide implications of global warming, and issues a clarion call to action for all of the planet’s citizens.
In his opening remarks, HESCO Founder Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi suggested that “for the conservation of the Himalayas, the participation of the people and the government is very important. We have to create an ideal model of development. Both society and the government will have to think so that development and ecological development can go hand in hand. For the promotion of the Himalayas, all systems have to be brought on a single platform. The work that Swami Chidanand is doing is amazing! He has a personality like the Himalayas and is guiding us all with Himalaya-like thoughts.”
Adding that, The political capital of India is Delhi, the economic capital is Mumbai but the ecological capital is Uttarakhand. Politics, economics and life for that matter cannot survive without our ecology and environment. Hence, Uttarakhand must lead the way in Himalayan protection and preservation”
Baby Rani Maurya, the Cabinet Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Former Governor of Uttarakhand who had previously celebrated Himalaya Diwas at Parmarth in 2018 in her tenure as the Hon’ble Governor, stated that “Parmarth Niketan and Uttarakhand are sources of wonderful spiritual energy. I do not feel like leaving this holy and peaceful place and going anywhere else. Coming to Parmarth Niketan, I feel as if Mother Ganga is absorbing me in herself. I have no words to express my joy and happiness.”
And, Forest and Technology Minister, Uttarakhand Subodh Uniyal , encouraged everyone to plant saplings and said “One tree is equal to one hundred sons,” then shared information about Parmarth reservoirs and the Rudraksha forest and Vatika in which mass plantation is underway in collaboration between the Government of Uttarakhand and Parmarth Niketan.
After the inaugural session, the invited experts and stakeholders got to work, focusing their experience and attention on the vital topics of Himalayan Environment & Culture; Livelihoods and Tourism in the Himalayas; Education & Healthcare in the Himalayan States; and Himalayan Women & Youth Empowerment to produce a strategy and series of initiatives to combat the effects of climate change in the Himalayas and to address the current and pressing needs and issues of the region.
Also joining the celebrations and the planning sessions were numerous government and civic officials – each committed to the protection and preservation of the Himalayas – including the Former Minister and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Nishank Pokriyal; Scientist and Former Head of the Botany Division at the Forest Research Institute, Dr. Subhash Nautiyal; the Director-General of UCOST (Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology), Prof. Dr. Durgesh Pant ; President of Vivekananda Youth Connect Foundation, Dr. Rajesh Sarwadnya; the President of Badri Kedar Samiti, Ajendra Ajay; the Director of Rajaji National Park, Saket Badola; the Director of UCOST, Dr. Reema Pant; HESCO Principal Scientist, Dr Kiran Negi; Dean of Seema Dental College, Dr. Himanshu Aeran; Dr. Yogeshwari; Dr. DP Uniyal; and, other invited guests and dignitaries. It was a great honour having the expert input of all of these distinguished guests.
Today’s inspiring and motivating event offered a powerful and necessary reminder that the Himalayas are the saviour of Indian culture, our spiritual and cultural heritage – and a great storehouse of biodiversity. They are vital guardians of ecological balance, not just for India but for the planet. Without the Himalayas, there is no Ganga, and only when Himalaya is Swasth can India be Mast!
