Coimbatore : At the felicitatory event organised by the Industrial Associations at CODISSIA for his campaign 'Cauvery Calling,' Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev stated that the surplus waterflow in River Cauvery could end the long-standing water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Coimbatore : At the felicitatory event organised by the Industrial Associations at CODISSIA for his campaign 'Cauvery Calling,' Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev stated that the surplus waterflow in River Cauvery could end the long-standing water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Isha Yoga Centre Founder, Jaggi Vasudev embarked on a motorcycle rally to create awareness to save the Cauvery river which was kick-started at Thala Cauvery on September 2. The rally culminated in Chennai on September 17. He then reached Coimbatore to a resounding welcome by his followers and students, on his arrival at the Coimbatore airport.
Later, Jaggi Vasudev participated in the event at CODISSIA, in which Minister S P Velumani and Kongu Makkal Desia Katchi's General Secretary, Eshwaran and other executives of the Industrial Association took part.
Addressing the gathering, Jaggi Vasudev said that out of the 120 tributary rivers of River Cauvery, only 35 tributary rivers have water throughout the year while the other tributaries have water only during the rainy season.
"Agriculture was responsible for the development of Tamil culture and yet everybody knows the plight of farmers right now with not even 2 percent of the next generation willing to do farming. Most of the dams have 40 percent of sediment. It is to be noted that the monsoon rainfall has not been reduced in the past 100 years, but saving water has reduced," he opined.
"Trees in the Vellingiri hills near Isha Yoga Center had been axed down by the home furniture manufacturers operating there and to avoid that, I purchased the company," he added. Jaggi Vasudev noted that around 242 crore saplings are to be planted in the Cauvery Delta area and out of the 130 crores population, if one could plant at least two trees, then it would be enough. "But some people will not plant them, so we plant for them as well," added Sadhguru.
"About 47,000 farmers in the Cauvery Basin have committed suicide over the past 12 years," noted Jaggi Vasudev. He then added that planting 242 crore trees would lead to 9.12 trillion water production and if this plan is a success, then River Cauvery will have water for 12 months a year. "I don't see Cauvery as just an aquatic body, but has rich biodiversity," he opined.
Later, as Jaggi Vasudev addressed the media, he said, "During the 'Cauvery Calling' campaign, I saw how enthusiastic the farmers were and how women and children welcomed me in spite of the rains. This showed their involvement in the campaign."
Lauding the roads in TN and Karnataka, Sadhuguru opined, "The roads resemble those in California and youngsters have to stop criticizing the roads and speak well of their states. There is a vast difference between the road trip I took 35 years ago and the road trip I had now. The roads are similar to those in foreign countries but here the problem is that people don't know how to drive."
He said that an appeal has been made to the Government of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as well as the Central Environment Ministry to provide 4 years subsidy to farmers and to enact legislation that allows farmers to grow crops according to their wishes.
"The Union Minister of Environment and TN Government have assured to introduce this legislation in a few days and I will be talking to the Karnataka Government, tomorrow. Seeing the enthusiasm and the spirit of people, as well as the Government's cooperation, planting 242 crore saplings does not seem to be a challenge," said Sadhguru. "The next step is to hold a meeting along with the MPs and MLAs along the Cauvery Delta area in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," he added.
"If 250 farmers from one taluk are brought for wood foresting, then other farmers will also get converted to it," he added.
Jaggi Vasudev who arrived at the stage in a two-wheeler, left the stage in a two-wheeler, with a large number of people cheering him on.