VIJAYAWADA: Joint Commissioner of Police, V Hari Kumar called upon the students to extend their support in making Krishna Pushkarams a memorable event for the pilgrims.
Participating as chief guest at the inaugural session of the National Seminar on ‘Rivers and their Prominence-Environment Awareness’ organised by Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala here, on Thursday, Hari Kumar said that students and non-Governmental voluntary agencies could do a lot in clearing traffic congestions, guiding pilgrims reach their destinations during the river festival. He also said only a responsible citizen could initiate creative steps to educate society on the need to keep our environment clean, conserve the river systems and fight against pollution and excessive exploitation of the river resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Vyakansa Agama Parishat, Tirupati, President Vedantham Rajagopal Chakravarthy said that Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra and other Gods are said to be present here during the Pushkarams and hence, bathing in the Krishna River during these 12 days is considered equivalent to bathing in all the holy waters in India. Apart from that, giving alms to the poor and performing homam and last rites to ancestors during the festival is believed to do one immense good,” he said.
Other speakers at the seminar expressed deep concern over the indifferent attitude of the local bodies towards initiating effective steps to protect the rivers. The seminar called upon the Government as well as the local self-Governments to take immediate steps for rain water harvesting and abatement of pollution in the rivers.
It also stressed the need to protect small streams leading to various rivers by initiating a fool-proof watershed development schemes in different parts of the State.