Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced the launch of a statewide campaign to clean rivers and drains of the state.
Addressing a gathering here during a function to mark the 22nd anniversary of the cleaning of holy Kali Bein, the Chief Minister said that following in the footsteps of the Gurus, the state government will soon embark upon a massive campaign to clean the natural resources in form of rivers and drains in the state. Mann said that while there is no dearth of funds for this noble cause, he called upon people to support it and make the campaign a mass movement. Mann also drank water from the Bein and said that he was blessed to have got this opportunity.
The CM also said that the state government was making concerted efforts to enhance the green cover in the state, for which Shaheed Bhagat Singh Hariyawal Lehar has been started. Mann urged the people to come forward in large numbers to support the campaign to make Punjab clean, green, and pollution-free.
Quoting from the Gurbani, the CM said, ‘Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat’ which explains how our Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father, and land (dharat) with mother. Unfortunately, the words of the Gurus have not been honoured by us, as we have polluted all three, he added. Mann said that now the time has come when we must imbibe the teachings of Gurbani in letter and spirit to restore the glory of the state.
Lauding the efforts made by renowned environmentalist and Rajya Sabha Member Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal for cleaning Kali Bein, the CM said that the historic initiative taken around 22 years ago had acted as a catalyst in cleaning this holy bein, where Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji used to have a bath. Mann said that such efforts need to be replicated at a mass level to carry forward the legacy of great gurus. He assured full support and cooperation for this noble task.
Seechewal apprised the CM about the efforts made for cleaning the Bein in the past 22 years. Mann also stressed the need to clean Buddha Nullah and Chitti Bein on the same pattern with the active support of the state government.