Kumudvati Rejuvenation Initiative and National Seminar on Rejuvenation of Tirthakshetra's

[Sreenivasa Guttal]

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 Kumudvati 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)