Vrindavan, 2016.10.05 (VT): Whatever our ancestors and forefathers left for us is our heritage. In the same way whatever we saved and create will be the heritage for future generations, whether it’s our rituals, art, architecture, culture or environment. All these aspects deal with the existence of humanity. As a human being we should be aware of protecting our existence. The rivers, the water resources are being exploited today in such a way that it became a challenge for the survival of mankind. In the name of development there seems vast harassment of our natural resources and demolition of heritage sites. The latest example is associated with the development drive in force on the ancient ghats of holy river Yamuna in Vrindavan.
F.S Grouse’s “Mathura Memoir” reveals 32 ghats on the bank of river Yamuna in Vrindavan. Several other ghats got their existence in due course of time which increased its number to 48. All these ghats have their own Spiritual, Historical & Architectural importance. Sometimes back among these ghats Yamuna flows only on Pandawala Ghat, Keshi Ghat & Kishori Rani ghat, but now Yamuna is constantly changing its flow. The poles of semi-circular bridge under construction on Keshi ghat not only diverted the natural flow but also contributed in making the river polluted. Thanks to the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to decimate the poles of that bridge but unfortunately there is another scheme to ruin the existence of these ghats and pushing the dying (of pollution & projects) Yamuna from its natural flow once again.
Some of the fatal facts about this project are that a sewer pipeline is to be constructed after heavy mining in the bed of holy river Yamuna. In our opinion, this is an only experiment in its category worldwide, after placing the sewer new ghats will be made over that, for this whole exercise the river bed is mined very frustratingly which not only seems to be unprofessional, irresponsible, cruel but also reveals our atheistic mindset. This whole development drive leads to a challenge not only for Yamuna but also for the ancient ghats, a large part of which is already encroached by local residents with the hapless policies of local & District administration. The keshi ghat is among the most beautiful historical architecture representing the beauty of Yamuna ghats in Vrindavan, is heavily depends on constant water resources in its base. In fact natural flow of Yamuna attached to its base. The recent development drive damaged several parts of ghats only in its first phase.
The question arises as to what we are going to deliver to our generations, just the file work or hopeless constructions in the name of development. Who will save our culture, our spiritual resources, and our ideal architectures? Why we step backward when it comes to save and beautify our heritage. No doubt, we should welcome any development scheme only after evaluation, satisfaction and meeting the emotions of concerned peoples. The suggestions should be welcomed and entertained for the sake of our generations and heritage. Rather emphasizing on construction we should be concerned over revitalizing the river Yamuna as Thames in London, then we have to focus on sustaining the heritage ghats in Vrindavan & Mathura as we did for Varanasi. It’s the time to join hands for preserving the Yamuna & our heritage.
author: Kunjbihari Sharma
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