India River Week 21st to 27th November '22

Festival Schedule Events at Schools

This year in 2022, the theme of India River Week is “Pune River Revival”. In line with this, the RIVER will be the Chief Guest of all our programs.

We are aware of the pathetic state of our rivers across India and Pune as well. Though Pune has rich Natural resources, the fast urbanization has been the major cause for degradation of our Rivers. The condition of rivers is further deteriorating due to excessive pollution, insufficient sewage treatment, encroachment, limited water in the rivers due to dams stopping all the flows. But the most important reason is the citizens are totally unaware about these fast deteriorating conditions and its consequences. We have forgotten that the Rivers give life to not only humans but also support life other than humans on this planet. Without our rivers, we wouldn’t have adequate drinking water and we would lose a vast amount of biodiversity. We are also forgetting that Climate Change has already entered our homes. If we take care of our rivers, they can provide us with water security, food security and also reduce the risk of flooding.

With the condition of rivers in mind, eight NGOs from different parts of India came together in Delhi in 2014 and constituted “India River Day” on November 28 every year. These organizations are INTACH, WWF India, Toxic Link, PEACE institute charitable trust, SANDRP, International Rivers, People’s Science Institute and Arghyam Trust. The main purpose of these NGOs was to understand the main problems of the rivers or the people whose health is affected and find new solutions. These organizations declared their vision to ‘get our rivers flowing’. India River Day has been celebrated since 2015.

Jeevitnadi had been celebrating “Muthai Mahotsav” since 2015. But this year a number of organizations have joined hands under the banner of “Aao Nadi Ko Jane” and “India River Week” to celebrate the rivers. PMC has come forward to give required support of the venue and connecting with PMC Primary schools etc.

Focus is on School Children. Main objective of these celebrations is to make the children understand the importance of rivers, know the rivers and make them think about what they can do for the rivers.

#puneriverrevival @jeevitnadi #jeevitnadi #aaonadikojane #indiariverday

Participate in the Clean-up drive on 26th Nov 2022, at below locations

Testimonials

“The care of rivers is not a question of rivers but of the human heart. We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations.” With this thought in mind, a wonderful collaborative effort is taken by Vidya Valley School and Kalmadi High School to make children aware about the current situation of the rivers around Pune and to bring about the change.

We are also connected with Jeeviath Nadi Association with a firm belief that river revival is possible through active participation of the citizens. So, A Walk for the River was organized to celebrate India River Week with the objective to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and our responsibility towards them. The quiz was conducted for the children during the assembly to make children understand the role of rivers in sustainability and to put efforts unitedly to clean and save rivers.

Students from Std 6 and 7 and a few teachers participated in the River Rally on 22nd November, 2022. Children made banners , placards using eco-friendly material, created slogans including the messages to protect and save rivers, toxin free living, river awareness, river pollution. The best two placards were chosen as the winners. Children visited Zila Parishad School, Nande to interact with the children and also involving them in their plan of action. Children took out a rally on the road holding their banners to spread awareness among the community and to make the rivers around the city regain their original glory. The children went near Mula river and took a pledge to take care of rivers, to clean and protect them.

Children enthusiastically participated in the walk proudly holding their placards with the aim of conveying and inspiring the society with the message to clean the polluted rivers and save them. They enjoyed it and had a good learning experience. We couldn’t have pulled off this project without the support and guidance provided by Ipsita ma’am, mentors Jayashree ma’am, Rashmi ma’am, Megha ma’am and Mrs. Nalini Sengupta Principal Vidya Valley School who encourages us to carry out various projects with the children from an early age.

We have great challenges and opportunities. Let’s join hands together and work towards reviving rivers to save our future.

Megha Gupta

Middle School Science Teacher

Vidya Valley School, Pashan, Pune