Page 59 - Mann Ki Baat April 2022
P. 59
of Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, which
uses a tradition of ‘Vridas’ for
water conservation, under which
small wells are created and plants
and trees are planted nearby to
protect it.
Whether it is the revival of Kosi
river through the efforts of
Basanti Devi or the creation of
Amrit Sarovar in Rampur, Uttar
Pradesh, whether it is the ‘Halma’
or ‘Vridas’ traditions, they all
prove that motivated individuals
and vigilant communities drive
the changes in the society. As
we celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit
Bhil youth in traditional Tribal attire Mahotsav’, let us take a pledge
to conserve water as every drop
Communities play the most counts, and make India a water-
important role in bringing about abundant country.
change in the society. When
communities come together, any
initiative becomes successful. One Prime Minister’s
such example is of the ‘Halma’
tradition of Bhil tribe of Madhya Clarion Call
Pradesh. It is a practice where the
“I would like all of you, and
Bhil community comes together especially the youth, to know
and finds solutions to challenges about this campaign and
such as water conservation also bear responsibility for it.
through mutual discussion. Every
If there is any history related
year, in the month of March, the to the freedom struggle
whole of Jhabua district of Madhya in your area, if there is a
Pradesh, responds to the call of
memory of a freedom fighter,
Halma at the hill of Hathipawa,
you can also connect it with
and to everyone’s amazement, Amrit Sarovar.”
more than 8,000 people turn up
each year selflessly for mother “Let us take a pledge to
conserve water and save
nature. With their efforts, the water
life in the Azadi Ka Amrit
crisis in the area has reduced
and the groundwater has started Mahotsav. We will save water
increasing. Another noteworthy drop by drop and save every
single life.”
example is of the Maldhari tribe
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