Every drop counts, Rally for Rivers!

Yes, every drop counts! When I was a child, my brother and I used to playfully take the water from a canal and count the number of drops that would go into a cup. The canal time was our favorite time. We would spend a lot of time there and I cherish my fond memories of my emotional bond with the natural water bodies. I visited my village recently but couldn’t find the canal anymore. My brother and I were in shock; we began walking towards the river and found that the river no longer was mighty and near – It was meek and far!

As we stood there not knowing what to do, a group of youngsters who stood there advised, “Rally for rivers, give a missed call to 8000980009”. I learned a few shocking aspects about India that day – we have 75% less water than in 1947, when we got independence from the British rulers. At the alarming rate of our present water consumption, depletion and rapid deforestation, 25% of India will turn into a desert  by 2030 and unless we act right now; and we will be left with only 50% of the water that we need. Like most of the citizens, I didn’t know what to do. That’s when Isha volunteers told me that by planting trees for a stretch of one kilometer on both the sides of all the rivers, will save them from diminishing.

Let me connect the dots for you. Trees absorb water from soil and the atmosphere, during the rainy season, retain and gradually release the same, into adjoining rivers. Governments can develop forests in the public lands. In the private lands, farmers can cultivate fruit based trees by the rivers and minimise irrigation requirements. Anyone can plant a seed on the river banks and the nearby areas… it knows how to grow on its own!

We buy drinking water now, what about our children and their next generation? Water will become more expensive than petrol. Scientists are trying to find ways to manufacture H2O capsules! Disgusting, isn’t it? We are responsible for this situation. But, the question is, do we feel responsible?

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, renowned spiritual leader and founder of international NGO Isha Foundation, who knew the practical solution started rallying for river rejuvenation in India. He drove from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas to create awareness among all the sections of the citizens. He along with many volunteers traveled for 30 Days, covered 16 states, participated in 23 major events and covered 9000 kilometers. Almost all the states’ chief ministers participated in and supported the respective events. Many dignitaries gave their support through videos, music, speeches, endorsing and testimonials. Till date, Rally for Rivers campaign received more than 12 crore missed calls from citizens across India. On 2nd October 2017, Sadhguru presented Rally for Rivers Draft Policy Recommendations to the prime minister of India Narenda Modi.

In Sadhguru’s words: There are three things all of us must do to support the rally:

1. The first thing is to give a missed call
2. Second is to make sure all your family and friends give a missed call and
3. The third is to make sure people you don’t know give a missed call!

Give a missed call to (+91) 8000980009 NOW.

Hope you did your part. Let us stay healthy, let us stay hydrated, let us save the rivers of this great nation! Vande Mataram. 

Jai Hind

Editor’s note: On behalf of iDiya editorial team I sincerely thank Srujana for publishing such an insightful article on the urgent need for river rejuvenation in India. I think Rally for Rivers will set an unprecedented example for environmental protection, not only in India but rest of the world too. Also it is an unprecedented democratic process of “referendum” by a significant percentage of population anywhere in the world uniting for a noble cause.

Friends, it is now or never. Let us now give a missed call to 8000980009 to save our country from drying up. Let us leave a better world for our future generations… this is our sacred responsibility. Please share this article widely among your family, colleagues friend circles to bring awareness to every citizen of this great country. 

I take this opportunity to thank Sadhguru for His grand vision and action for securing the future generations of our country. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the chief ministers for their enthusiastic response for Rally for Rivers. I also thank all the dignitaries, thought leaders and citizens of India for supporting this Noble cause with unprecedented enthusiasm in the entire mankind history.

Feel free to follow me on my iDiya profile. Feel free to share your feedback in comments or write to us at iDiya ( at ) yessmedia (dot) com.

Jai Hind,
Krishna Reddy
Founder and Chief Editor