Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil on Friday inaugurated the sixth edition of Nadi Utsav at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi. Organised by the IGNCA under the Ministry of Culture, the three-day festival celebrates India’s rivers as lifelines of ecology, culture, and spirituality, bringing together scholars, artists, practitioners, and students for dialogue and reflection.
In his inaugural address, Patil highlighted the importance of rivers in sustaining life and culture, underscoring the need for collective responsibility in their preservation. “India is a land of rivers. The world’s finest river, the Ganga, flows in India. It is our duty not to pollute our rivers,” he said, adding that river conservation efforts are being carried out through short-, mid-, and long-term plans under the vision of Water Vision@2047.
Patil praised IGNCA for its efforts in organising Nadi Utsav year after year, noting that rivers are not just natural resources but an emotional and cultural current binding India’s communities. He cautioned that human intervention has caused severe damage to rivers and called for a national effort to reverse this trend.
Spiritual leader Gaurang Das spoke on the symbolic and spiritual power of rivers, saying they teach resilience and hope in the face of challenges. Sadhvi Vishudhanand Bharti Thakur stressed the importance of a meaningful dialogue with rivers and called for greater study of their ecological diversity. IGNCA President Rambahadur Rai recalled the long-standing crisis of river pollution, particularly in the Yamuna, and expressed optimism about ongoing rejuvenation efforts.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, IGNCA Member Secretary, emphasized that Nadi Utsav seeks to rekindle reverence for rivers in an era where urban lifestyles have distanced people from their natural roots.
The first day featured the National Seminar on Riverscape Dynamics: Changes and Continuity, with 45 selected research papers presented by eminent scholars. Concurrently, the My River Story Documentary Film Festival showcased films such as Gotakhors: Disappearing Diving Communities, River Man of India, and Cauvery – River of Life, sparking discussions on ecology, culture, and conservation.
The inaugural day concluded with a captivating classical music performance dedicated to rivers by Guru Sudha Raghuraman and her team. The festival will continue until September 27, featuring exhibitions, cultural programmes, and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening India’s cultural and ecological bond with its rivers.