‘Save Khadakwasla water reservoir’: A campaign to prevent the wrongdoings on Dhulivandan and Holi

A joint effort of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and like-minded organizations

Pune : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti actively works at multiple levels towards weeding out malpractices plaguing Hindu festivals and rituals, thereby allowing for appropriate practice of religious practices. As a part of this mission, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and like-minded organizations are undertaking a campaign, ‘Save Khadakwasla water reservoir’ on Dhulivandan and Holi. What is peculiar is that the initiative has been 100% successful in the past 16 years that it has been underway. The exercise will be undertaken again this year on both days – 21 March (Dhulivandan) and 25 March (Holi). It is completely wrong to pollute the water reservoir that supplies potable water to the whole of Pune city, under the name of Hindu festivals. As such, like every year this year too, we are going to protect the lake by forming a human chain on its banks, said Shri Parag Gokhale, Pune District Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, while speaking to the media at a press conference organised at Shramik Patrakar Sangh on March 18, 2019. Sanatan Sanstha’s Prof. Vitthal Jadhav, Ranaragini Shakha’s Kum. Kranti Petkar were present at the press conference.

Shri Gokhale further said that entering the lake after playing Holi has no religiousness attached to it. This is nothing but a malpractice in the name of Dharma. This needs to stop. At a time when parts of the state are experiencing water shortage, polluting a water reservoir is unpardonable. Pune District Collector, Tehsildar, Water Resources Department and the Police Department have been given a memorandum in this regard by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The administration has responded by saying that it will support the initiative wholeheartedly and try to be present at the venue in person.

While speaking at the occasion, Kum Kranti Petkar of Ranaragini Shakha said that until a few years ago, the days of Dhulivandan and Holi would witness youngsters smeared with color bathing in the Khadakwasla water reservoir. As a result, a layer of chemicals from the color would spread all across the water reservoir. The same water would be used by the residents of Pune for drinking, thereby putting public health at risk. Upon realizing this, this campaign was undertaken as a part of its social duty and to eradicate the malpractices rampant in the name of Hindu festivals and rituals. This campaign enjoys active participation of Ranaragini Shakha, residents of Khadakwasla, the Water Resources Department and other like-minded organizations who work towards conserving the national property and protecting the environment. This has also led to a noticeable drop in the number of malpractices in the region, said Sanatan Sanstha’s Prof. Vitthal Jadhav. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has also called for responsible members of the society to participate in the initiative as a means to prevent water pollution, eradicate the malpractices plaguing festivals and rituals and to assist the police and administration.

Venue   : Khadakwasla Dam

Date      : 21 March 2019 (Dhulivandan) and 25 March 2019 (Holi)

Time     : 9 am to 7 pm.

To participate, contact : 8983335517