Namami Gange gathers steam - 231 rejuvenation projects being launched simultaneously

At last Namami Gange appears to be gathering steam. It was one of the ambitious programs of the Modi government and, 231 projects are being announced simultaneously to begin execution of the Ganga rejuvenation at 104 locations spread across five river basin states. These are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Also, along its tributary Yamuna in Haryana and Delhi.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 7 July 2016.

These projects are worth over Rs 2,000 crore and involve modernization and redevelopment of 'ghats' and crematoriums, development of sewage infrastructure, afforestation, plantation of medicinal plants, drains, interceptors, trash skimmers and conservation of biodiversity to ensure clean and free flow of water in the River Ganges.
As Uma Bharati, the minister in-charge of this massive task has explained - it is a historic moment. The first phase would be over in October 2016 and, the second phase will be completed two years later. The program is entirely funded by the Centre, but work is being done with the cooperation of the concerned states.
These projects are in addition to the big projects involving the setting up of new sewage treatment plants (STPs) in various cities of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Rs 30-crore plan to beautify Howrah Station Complex

A beautification project is on the cards for the Howrah Station complex which is the entry point to Kolkata for those arriving by train. It would be a Rs 30-crore project and will be taken up by the state transport department along with Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC). The plan is to convert the Howrah station complex into a Comprehensive Development Zone.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated4 July 2016.

The Howrah Station complex lies in a total mess. The frontage of the Ganges River is blocked from view with a string of dilapidated buildings and, while the hawker menace has abated a bit, the subway continues to remain occupied during the morning and evening rush hours.
The roads in front of the new and old station complex are in bad condition - they are broken and potholed. The parking lot stands on a fallow land with a huge crater right at the point of entry. There had been plans to develop it into a park with a cafeteria complete with a bust of Tagore. That has not yet materialized.
Moreover, the Howrah bus stand for long distance buses has broken platforms and rundown sheds and needs to be repaired and renovated. Additionally, the stand is overrun with hawkers who make it difficult for commuters to board the buses. Plans to renovate and develop the Howrah bus stand is a part of this project.


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India reaches out to Hungary via the Ganges-Danube Cultural Festival

India is making waves in the international arena and, as a part of that exercise, the ‘Ganges-Danube Cultural Festival of India’ will be held in Hungary from June 17 to 19. It will be a three-day festival and will be inaugurated at Vigado Theatre in Budapest by Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture & Tourism and Civil Aviation.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 17 June 2016.

In the course of the festival, the International Day of Yoga will also be inaugurate followed by Yoga workshop on June 18. The Ganges-Danube festival will also showcase Indian culture - dance, music, yoga, film and exhibitions. Indian martial art experts and puppet artists would also be performing alongside Hungarian artists who are proficient in Indian art forms.
A few of the events are performances of the Folk Dance Group of Latipur, Gujarat, the Kalaripayattu Dance Group from Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Bangalore, and by Sadhya from New Delhi. The festival will be held in different cities of Hungary, namely Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, Eger, Nagykanizsa, Esztergom, Szentendre and Balatonfured.


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Modi's plan to sell Gangajal hits a roadblock - Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati objects

The government has recently announced its plan to sell Gangajal through its post offices but it has come in for severe criticism from holy persons. The principal disciple of the seer and convener of the campaign Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has penned a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi - in the letter he has demanded that the government immediately stop the plan.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 2 June 2016.

In the letter, the seer has said that Indians revered Ganga as mother. He has also said that the Prime Minister himself believes that Ganga is the soul of India. Tat is the reason that he chose to contest Lok Sabha election from Varanasi and had remarked that 'Maa Ganga ne mujhe bulaya hai'.
Hence, when the ministers are planning to sell Gangajal, it amounts to selling the mother.
The seer has added that if there is any formal order of the government on the subject, it must be withdrawn immediately. He has cautioned that if the government wants to earn money by selling Gangajal, it could lead to an agitation.


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