Guwahati: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday called for a powerful national campaign on the need to rejuvenate the country's rivers, saying it has to be done with a sense of urgency.
Noting that rivers have always been revered in India for their life-regenerating power, he pointed out that growing urbanisation and industrialisation have led to pollution of rivers and other water bodies in different parts of the country.
"In the past, our villages and cities used to be dotted with several water bodies. In the quest for modernisation, man, driven by greed, has destroyed natural ecosystems and at several places, the water bodies have virtually disappeared or have been encroached upon," he observed.
The vice president, who arrived here on Sunday on a tour of the Northeast, began his trip by inaugurating the Heritage-cum-Cultural Centre on the banks of the river Brahmaputra.
He also visited the museum at the centre and released a coffee-table book 'Forever Guwahati' on the occasion, an official statement issued by the Vice President Secretariat said.
Later in a Facebook post, Naidu described his experience of visiting Assam and the river Brahmaputra as unforgettable.
Also Read: Society needs to be sensitised towards challenges faced by the elderly: Vice President
He wrote that he was awestruck by the natural beauty of the Brahmaputra, viewed from a splendid riverside garden. "I will cherish this memory for a long time."
The vice president noted that the great river, providing livelihood to millions of people, is an integral part of the region's culture and history.
Noting the importance of rivers and their rejuvenation, Naidu suggested to the Centre and the state governments to include lessons on the importance of water conservation in school curricula. He also suggested that schools should conduct nature camps for students from a young age so that children, especially those living in the urban areas, see and enjoy the splendour of nature.
During the visit, Naidu witnessed several sections of the centre like the art gallery, the central hall with the theme 'Life Along the River' and 'Majuli Corner', containing famed masks, panel paintings and other artifacts.
He appreciated the fact that the heritage campus is pedestrian-only and vehicular traffic has been prohibited to maintain the serenity of the place. He suggested other heritage centres around the country too should adopt such green and healthy practices, by creating walking and cycling paths for visitors to explore.
Separately, in a video message for NDTV's latest edition of 'Banega Swasth India', Naidu called for bridging disparities in health infrastructure between urban and rural areas.
"While bringing tertiary care to rural areas, it is imperative that we strengthen our primary healthcare system for better health outcomes." He also lauded the government's flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme and said it has brought 'health assurance' to millions of poor families.
Expressing concern over the disturbing trend of increasing non-communicable diseases in India, Naidu called for creating greater awareness among people on lifestyle diseases. He urged health experts and cultural icons to take the lead in this regard.
PTI
