Bring Yamuna Back to Braj Vrindavan Action Plan FY 2012 and 2013
Radhe Radhe
As you know that with the inspiration and blessings of Shri Ramesh Baba Ji Maharaaj of Maan Mandir, Barsana, the 'Bring Yamuna River Back to Braj-Vrindavan-Gokul-Mathura CAMPAIGN' is growing by leaps and bounds, we would like to share some of the action items as a part of our strategy to handle this issue:
- Do you know that there is 24x7 Akhand Harinaam Sankeertan for ONE YEAR is going on at the bank of Shri Yamuna Ji at Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan since 1st of Feb 2012 ? Everyday one village from Braj (Brajwasis) come and join this Sankeertan for 24 hrs. We already have many villages in our list, who already mentioned their names for 24 hrs Sankeertan.
- March 20th to 28th noon: 'Pad-Yatra' (walking) in Vrindavan among local Brajwasis and Saints to ask help for this noble cause.
- March 28th 2012: On the birthday of Shri Yamuna Ji, leaving for Hathini Kund Barrage (where Yamuna ji diverted in Haryana) with 1000 devotees by 100 car/jeeps and buses via Delhi (where devotees from Delhi would welcome and join these Yamuna Sevaks ).
- March 29th 2012: Will show original Yamuna Ji to Brajwasis at Hathini Kund Barrage in Haryana with rituals. All Brajwais will invite Shri Yamuna Maharaani ji to her own real home; Braj. They are already praying day and night to Yamuna ji to destroy all obstacles to come back.
- April 7th 2012: This Yamuna force will present two bottles (with Blue and Black water) to each minister of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. In one bottle original Yamuna water from Hathini Kund Barrage and in the second bottle sewage (what flowing in Braj-Vrindavan-Gokul-Mathura) will take place.
- May 1st to June 30, 2012: Huge awareness program to make Yamuna volunteers from Braj. 'Yamuna Rath' would visit each and every village of Braj among all the Brajwasis to inspire them to join this campaign actively.
- May 31st, 2012: From 'Itava' to 'Mathura-Vrindavan' at 1000 places near Yamuna Ji, AKHAND HARINAAM SANKEERTAN FOR 24hrs.
- March 1st to March 15th, 2013: 100,000 Brajwasis & 100,000 Farmers (200,000 devotees) would march from Vrindavan to Harthini Kund Barrage to bring Yamuna Ji back and reunite her to her lord Shri Krishna.
If you want to join us, you are most welcome. Send us your feedback and/or queries at saveyamuna@maanmandir.org.
Radhe Radhe
Attachments:Impact of Yamuna Yatra - Financial Times (FT) Report on Yamuna Pollution
Global Sankeertan To Save Yamuna - World Map of Venues
First Time In The History...
There is wave of happiness, enthusiasm, belief, changing Bhagwan Naam, Divine dances and unexplainable connection among the yatries. Everybody almost believes that Yamuna has already come to Braj. Well that objective will become later but we have been witnessing a number of favorable and healthy signs of success.
First time in the history of Braj in modern India, ALL brajwasis from all over the Braj region have come under one roof FOR BRAJ. The fact was echoed by the elderly senior Brajwasis who have been living in Braj for years. "I have never seen such huge crowd involving people belonging to different sectarian background (Sampradaya) coming forward and walking together for the same cause, Shri Ramesh Baba Ji it truly doing an amazing job in Braj..." said one brajwasis walking in the Radha Rani Yamuna Pad Yatra 2013. Their enthusiasm and engagement was unparalleled.
First time in the history of Braj of modern India, Aacharya's and Katha Vachakas from different sects have been seen on the same stage and talking same language. "I grew up in a religious family, we all listen and attend various Bhagwat Kathas and religious events, but I have never seen all these prominent personality not only standing together but very supportive and cooperative of each other in context of Save Yamuna campaign" said a devotee walking in the yatra.
First time in the history of Yamuna campaigns, such a huge crowd have gathered to show support for Save Yamuna campaign. People from various walks of life such as activists, volunteers, religious leaders, Muslims groups, Christen groups, Sikh groups, devotees etc are joining the march. This is first time when Save Yamuna awareness campaign was conducted at such a low and wide spread manner. Thousands of villages in UP, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, MP, Haryana, Rajasthan were visited by the Shri Maan Mandir Save Santhan activists. Even senior activists are appreciative of the fact that masses are being awakened in such as great number and at such a great pace.
This is just a beginning and there is long way to go. We hope to see many many more such favorable situations in days to come.
Attachments:Radha Rani Yamuna Pad Yatra To Save Yamuna Enters 5th Day
Eve of Yamuna PadYatra 28th feb
Hectic preparations had already begun around 26th Feb as unexpected participants began arriving as early as 26th.Thousands of Farmers of Bhartiya Kisaan Union started pouring in since early morning at a bid open space near the famous Garun Govind Temple. Around 3 0’ clock the venue was packed with thousands participants which included mostly devotees, farmers and local Brajwasis.
Seated on the stage were HH Keshavchandra Maharaaj, HH Cheenu Baba Maharaaj and was later joined by Shri Ramesh Baba Maharaaj of Maan Mandir, Barasana. Several speeches were made: spiritual, environmental, charging and emotionally arousing. Then several leaders of Farmers Union took over the stage and addressed the participants in more rustic ways.
The event ended with all participants pledging their full support and dedication.
1st March
The local towns of Vrindavan & Mathura had declared their commercial establishments shut for the day as a mark of support to the Yatra. Temples also shut darshan for the day. This day several thousands Brajwasis came out in support. They came to the venue and joined the protest. Several speeches were made by local leaders. Politicians, social leaders, representatives of various sections of the society spoke of their contributions to the cause. The PadYatra left the venue in several organized bathces and durations. Leading all were the young sadhus of Maan Mandir followed by Hari Naam singing sadhikaas of Maan Mandir. Next were devotees of Iskcon coming from Vrindavan and Delhi Temples. Following closely were Thousands of Pusti Maarg Devotees hailing from various towns and villages of the state of Gujarat. They were lead by their Revered Achaaryaas. They were ecstatic and sang Hari Naam, Braj Folk Keertans and had a festive mood all along. They were followed by some Local Brajwasis coming from various villages. Following them were 18 batches of thousands of Farmers from various parts of the Country. They had their own keertan / music etc.
The National Highway was blocked for the PadYatra on one side and traffic managed on the other. The Yatra finally reached Chomuha around 12 kilometers from the start point. However, there were around 2500 still waiting on the start side to move.
The Government approached the core team of the Yatra. The officials from New Delhi had come from various departments of the Government. They had nothing to offer but false hopes that had no substance. On being snubbed for their lack luster offer, there was no progress and the core team members pressed on with the Yatra.
2nd March
The Yatra began around 8:30 AM. There was a sudden increase in the number of Brajwasis that joined in. The second day saw a better management of affairs. Many Local villages on the way played Host to the Yatra. The same pattern continued through the day and the Yatra ended around 2 o clock in Chaata.
3rd March
Local people of Chaata came out in big support. The event was beginning to get big media attention. Several spiritual leaders addressed the participants. On reaching Kosi outskirts, the Yatra was received by a huge crowd of at least 15000 people. It was a festival like atmosphere with a lot of Keertan, dancing and merry making. The town of Kosi had declared a Holiday. All sections of the society came out in support. The festivities continued till evening. Shri Ramesh Baba Maharaaj addressed the crowd with a huge response. Several local political leaders, spiritual personalities and social groups addressed the participants. This was followed by delicious prashaadam.
4th March.
The Yatra left as usual. Around 12 PM, Uma Bhaarti a big political leader arrived and addressed the crowd. There was a massive crowd build up by then. Shri Ramesh Baba also addressed the participants. The Yatra crossed over into the state of Haryana and arrived at Hodal Town. It was received by a crowd of around 12000 people. A local Youth activist group, a local leader and thousands of people of Maan Mandir Hari Naam Sankeertan group received the Yatra with great anxiety and festivities.
Attachments:The Historical Save Yamuna Foot March - March 01, 2013
Historical Foot March from Vrindavan to Delhi on 1st of March 2013 and unprecedented mass movement for bringing back fresh water of river Yamuna back to ‘ Holy Vrindavan’.
As part of a timeless civilization, the river Yamuna, other than being a traditional water resource, is also a cultural icon and is worshipped as a goddess in Indian Culture. A little inquiry into ancient Indian scriptures, rituals, art forms, traditional vocation, festivities or even the National Anthem shall vividly bring forward the esteem and glory that this grand River holds, even in present times. Many a temple towns are situated along its banks that have their characters based on the River and its religious tourism, the most famous being Vrindavan, Mathura, Agra andGokul. Here, in most temples the Deities are bathed daily with Yamuna waters.
However, unknown to the annual 80 million pilgrims and local residents of these towns alongside the river, who bathe and drink its water with faith and devotion, is that what flows now on the river bed is actually nothing more than a mixture of domestic sewage and industrial effluents (without one drop of original natural fresh water of the river).
The United Nationswebsite has a report declaring the river as dead. (www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=460&id=2170). Also "Around 23% of children living beside RiverYamuna has high lead levels in their blood," said a study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) with support of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).An article in the British Medical Journal The Lancet warned that bacteria in New Delhi drinking water carrya gene, NDM-1 (New Delhi metallobetalactamase), for an enzyme that conveys resistance to almost all known antibiotics.
The river is nothing but a sewage canal in Delhi, Mathura-Vrindavan and Agra (without one drop of original natural fresh water of the river).
Yamuna Rakshak Dal, as an organization, has worked hard to examine and compile several Facts, Challenges and Remedial measures about Shri Yamuna River whichshall play a vital role in her restoration. These unfocussed aspects of Shri Yamuna River are importantto the very achievable task of bringing River Yamuna back to Braj Bhoomi, its ecology and people.
If he Government wants, it can do it. And if the General Public wants it Strong Enough, the Government will do it. Hence, to demonstrate the MASSIVE strength of People’s will to get the Original River Yamuna back, Yamuna Rakshak Dal is organizing a Padyatrafrom the Holy town of Vrindavan to New Delhi on the 1st of March 2013. Nothing less than 500000(Five Lacs)people from all sections of the society shall take to the Road to Delhi.
Participants of the historical PADYATRAon 1st of March 2013
• More than two lac Devotees of Lord Krishna from across several districts of Uttar Pradesh,
• Several Thousands of Devotees of Lord Krishna from across several towns and rural areas of Gujarat & Maharashtra,
• Lacs of Brajwasis from 1200 villages of Braj,
• The strong & Famous Bhartiya Kisaan Union (Bhanu)
• Gaudia Vaishnav Sampradaay of Bengal
• Pusti Marg Sampradaay from all across India.
• 52 Kathavaachaksof Mathura Vrindavan and thousands of their followers.
• Senior national Religious Leaders and thousands of their followers.
• ISKCON Worldwide(Hare Krishna Movement) Demands
The River needs a basic minimum flow of its natural fresh water to maintain its ecology. Any River does.
1. The immediate need is to allow fresh natural watersto be released from Hathini Kund Barrage. This water should be allowed to flow on the entire stretch of Yamuna River Bed.
....No amount of treatment can bring the qualities of Freshnatural water in a river. Even the much hyped & expensive interceptor sewage project in New Delhi will not restore the river to class C—bathing quality (Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)-3mg/l) waters as ordered by the Supreme Court of India.
2. Let there be No inflow of any Sewage / Pollution (TREATED or UNTREATED) into the Yamuna River Bed.
.....What is being demanded and advocated is nothing but what Hon’ble Apex Court has desired from the Central Government since 1994 and various constitutional Law have directed. The Padyatrastands for bringing Back River Yamuna to its people, wildlife and ecology.
If the democratically elected government of the world’s largest democracy wishes, it can Save the Yamuna River by allowing Adequate natural fresh waters to flow through the entire stretch of Yamuna River without any Treated or Untreated Pollution flowing into it.
Unless the care takers of Democracy & Natural Justice act now, this national monument so ardently sung in our timeless scriptures & National Anthem shall have to be omitted soon.
The Padyatrais a culmination of a long campaign being run for years. It is a genuine call of millions of devotees & environmentalist around the world. The demands are nothing but a call to ask the Government to do the obligatory work which it must have done long before.
On the 1st of March 2013, the country & World shall witness ahistorical movement that has never happened for protection of a river.
Thousands Gathered At Eve Of The Great Historical Save Yamuna Foot March
Thausands of the participants of The Great Historical Save Yamuna Sankeertan Foot March has already arived at venu which has been prepared to hold over 5,00,000 people. The sight looks like a new city. There is centeral tent setup that can hold over 5000 participants. There are other 500 small tents to host 10 to 20 people. Over 200 water tankers have been arranged. "Jai Gurudev" Aasharam has offered to take of the food for all the attendents. The foot march will last long for 10 days starting from Chhatikara ending in Delhi.
Here is details and schedule of the march:
Announced participants at the Protest March are:
• Thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna from across several districts of Uttar Pradesh,
• Several Thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna from across several towns and rural areas of Gujarat & Maharashtra,
• Thousands of Vrajbasis from 1,200 villages of Vraj,
• The strong & famous Bhartiya Kisaan Union (Bhanu),
• Gaudia Vaishnava Sampradaya of Bengal,
• Thousands of devotees from the Pusti Marg Sampradaya from all across India,
• 52 Kathavaachaks of Mathura Vrindavan and thousands of their followers,
• Senior national religious leaders and thousands of their followers,
• Representatives of the Muslim and Sikh communities.
The schedule of the Protest March:
28th of February - Yamuna Mahasammelan ( Huge congregation and public Meeting)
1st of March - Gathering at Rukmani Vihar on Chatikara Road Vrindavan and walk to Chomuha on the National Highway
2nd of March - Walk from Comuha walk to Sugar Mill Chahta
3rd of March - Walk from Chahta walk to a point 2 kms before Kosi
4th of March - Walk from the point 2 kms before of Kos to Kotvan Border.
5th of March - Walk from Kotvan Border walk to Morekuti, Haryana.
6th of March - Walk from Morekuti Haryana to Bamni Khera
7th of March - Walk from Bamni Khera to a point 3 kms before Palwal.
8th of March - Walk from the point 3 kms before Palwal to a point 4 kms before of Ballbgarh.
9th of March - Walk from the point 4 kms before of Ballbgarh to Sector 12 in Faridabad.
10th of March - From Sector 12 Faridabad walk to New Delhi.
Attachments:ISKCON Launches Global Keertan In Support of The Great Historical Save Yamuna March - Mar 01, 2013
ISKCON has been doing commendable job in supporting the compaign. In an yet another effort to support The Great Historical Save Yamuna Foot March, it has called upon all the ISKCON centers all over the world to organize and dedicate prayers in form of sankeertan. All the members of ISKCON has welcomed and idea and has already started setting up a sankeertan night.
Here are some of the links of their efforts:
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8092
http://news.iskcon.com/view/iskcon#ixzz2MEnQplHc
http://news.iskcon.com/node/4922/2013-02-14/global_kirtan_for_yamuna_gea...
http://listings.dfw.com/dallas_tx/events/show/310816723-prayers-for-the-...
http://www.facebook.com/events/165087506973455/?ref=22
http://www.utahkrishnas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id...
Attachments:Thousands of People On Streets of Rajkot Gujarat to Save Yamuna
Save Yamuna campaign is on its height in Rajkot Gujrat. Supports were flooding the streets of Rajkot on Feb 22, 2013. Their enthusiasm was unparalleled. National Coordinator of Braj Rakshak Dal Dr. Lakshm Gotam was excited to convey the sentiments of the masses of Rajko who care environmentally as well as spiritually. On Feb 22, a huge foot march was arranged to spread the words among the general public to inspire them to be a part of the movement by being there in The Great Historical Foot March To Bring Yamuna Back to Braj taking place on Mar 01, 2013. The object of the march was also to give a notice to the local authorities to appeal to the central government to take appropriate actions to free Yamuna river from Hathanikund Barrage.
As we all know, the great saints from Gujarat have joined the movement and working very sincerely to protect and save Yamuna river. Gujarat awaken could only be possible because of their tireless efforts. Panjak Baba and Shamu Baba are among the most active one. Others are also doing the best they can.
Attachments:Yamuna Rakshak Dal Delegation Met with Sonia Gandhi
On Feb 8, 2013, a delegation of Braj Rakshak Dal, under the leadership of Shri Jai Krishna Das Baba, met with UPA chair person Smt Sonia Gandhi. The delegation included famous saints from Vrindavan and Gujarat including President of Bhartiya Kishan Unioun (Bhanu) Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh. The delegation requested Smt Sonia Gandhi to Chief Minister of Haryana not to stop the original stream of Yamuna and let the water flow on the Yamuna bed. She was also educated on the real problem of pollution in Yamuna.
The delegation also mentioned the fact that if a satisfactory actions were not taken to address the situation, over 5,00,000 peopel will gather at Jantar Mantar to protest against the government and if needed the crowd will march toward Hathani Kund Barrage in Haryana to make every possible effort to release the real water of the river. Natual flow of water is the ONLY solution to the current plight of the river.
Yamuna Rakshak Dal also mentioned that this campaign is NOT just another protest against Yamuna River. It is heavly backed by the devotees from all across the world. Therefore it should not be taken lightly by the Government.
Attachments:
