Abhivaadaye,
This weekend is a festival for people concerned with Water, River,
Tirthakshetra's:)
*Sri Rajendra Singh, Water-man of India from Rajasthan, and winner of Ramon
Magsaysay Award for his stupendous work in rejuvenating seven rivers in
Rajasthan will be in Bangalore participating in two major events on
Saturday (August 11th) and Sunday (August 12th).*
*Kumudvati Rejuvenation Initiative*
Purnapramati, an alternative school, is working on the theme "Water as
Life" in the current academic year. It is an experiment to involve young
kids in real life social contexts.* *As you may be aware, *River Kumudvat*i
along with River Arkavati was one of the prime sources of water for the
population in and around Bangalore. But unfortunately, the flow of
Kumudvati has been affected badly in the recent decades. Purnapramati is
planning to work on the catchment area of this river, starting from
Shivaganga hills to TG halli reservoir.
The school started this year by visiting Shivaganga hills on Bhagirathi
Jayanti (30th June 2012, symbolizing water day) where river Kumudvati
originates. Now, on August 11th, Purnapramati is visiting Shivganga and
will launch the Kumudvati rejuvenation program involving the local
communities.
The day long program will involve launching of rejuvenation, relevant
cultural programs in a local school at Shivaganga, tree planting program
along the feeding streams of Kumudvati, cleaning of Pushkarani (small
pond), Presentation on major rivers of India by kids, Vichara Samkirana
with farmers (Discussions) at mid point of Kumudvati River etc.
*Sri Rajendra Singh, Modern Day Bhagiratha, will accompany Purnapramati
kids and participate for the whole day program. **Many dignitaries from
premier institutes and social organizations will participate in this
socio-educational movement of a new kind, spearheaded by children.*
*National Seminar on Rejuvenation of Tirthakshetra*
*Description:*
Tirthakshetras form the bedrock of cultural identity of Indian society. The
idea of Tirthakshetra, is not just limited to a religious activities, but
play significantly role in defining entire eco-system. Visiting
tirthasketras is one of the fundamental duties of devotees in many
religions, and it is particularly so in our Hindu traditions. During
ancient times, people travelled thousands of kilometers by foot to reach
holy places and earn blessings of the lord. Yaatras to tirthakshetras
continue to be an important aspect of Hinduism today, as witnessed in the
number of people who turn up for aaradhanas or kumbhasnaanas. The modernity
and ease of transportation in the last century has enormously contributed
in increasing number of visiting tirthakshetras even in remote locations.
However, modernity has also had its own negative effects and has resulted
in new challenges. In the process of following rituals, getting darshana
and snaana and moving on quickly with our busy modern lives, our generation
seems to have forgotten to take care of the very same tirthasketras. At the
very basic level, the current day tirthasketras are hardly clean. Plastic
materials are thrown, soaps are abundantly used in the very same holy
rivers from which devotees who seek to cleanse their paapas. We have
forgotten the ecological importance of the kalyaanis, rivers and forests we
so much worship. More generally, our generation seems to have forgotten the
holistic ideal of a tirthayaatra which has led to dramatic changes in the
dynamics of such yaatras, how yaatris perceive yaatras as well as holy
places themselves. Role of local communities has also decreased due to
multiple factors.
The aim of this half a day seminar is to create awareness among yaatris,
local communities and administrators on what they can do to improve our
tirthakshetras, and to develop a holistic perspective about Tirthakshetra.
Distinguished speakers ranging from ecological conservationists to
administrators to Peethadipathis will look at what aspects
abouttirthakshetras have changed with modernity, why they have changed,
what have been their implications that we often not notice and what we as
yaatris, local communities and religious administration, all can resolve to
improve the future.
*Please see attached files for program details or refer below*
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Jagadguru Srimanmadhvacharya Mulamahasamsthanam, Sri Uttaradi Math
National Seminar on Rejuvenation of Tirthakshetras
Date: 12th August 2012, Sunday Time:
4.00 PM
Venue: Sri Digvijaya Lakshmi Narasimha Devasthanam, Uttaradi Math,
Basavanagudi, Bangalore.
*Chairperson: Sri Sri 1008 Sri SatyatmaTirtha Swamiji***
* *
*Topics:*
Role of individuals and society with respect to Tirthakshetra as depicted
in scriptures**
- *Vidwan Vidyadheeshacharya Guttal*
A case study - Key policy measures at TTD and learning based on
implementation.**
- *Sri P. V. R. K. Prasad, Retd. IAS Officer*
Rejenuvation of Tirthakshetras: Role of rivers and communities
- *Sri Rajendra Singh, Water Man of India from Rajasthan, **Ramon
Magsasay Awardee*
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*A Policy Framework: Motivation and Prescription – A Proposal*
* *
Discussion amongst speakers and distinguished invitees
* *
Audience QA Session
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* *
Action Plan from Uttaradi Math towards rejuvenating Tirthakshetras. -
*Vidwan Satyadhayacharya Katti*
*
*
*Chief Guests*
*
*
*Sri Basavaraj Bommai, Minister for Water resources, Govt. of Karnataka.*
*Sri D. Satyamurthy, IAS, Principal Secretary, Water resources Dept, Govt
of Karnataka*
*
*
*
*
*Special Invitees*
*
*
*Sri A.N Yellappa Reddy, Sri Krishna Kolharkulkarni, **Dr. Ele Lingaraju, *
*Sri Dr. Narayana R Desai, Sri Radhakrishna S Badti, **Representatives from
Tirthakshetra's and related Institutions*
* *
*Chairperson’s address: *
*
*
***“A Call to Nation”:* For yaatris, local communities and administrators
to create a movement for rejuvenation of Tirthakshetras across India. - *Sri
Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji*
*
*
*
*
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Thanks and Regards,
Sreenivasa
http://www.purnapramati.in
(A center for integrated learning)
