The true form of faith is that we respect nature, keep the canals clean, and give the gift of clean water to the coming generations.
Today, when we talk about worship, tradition, and faith, we often forget that the fundamental purpose of religion is to preserve life—not destroy it. When water, the very foundation of life, becomes defiled in the name of our faith, it becomes a matter for introspection. “Listen to the Call of the Canals” is one such public awareness campaign, which confronts us with our own mistakes and reveals true worship.
Canals aren’t just a conduit for water. They’re the arteries of green fields, the thirst of animals, and the culture and civilization of villages. It’s through these canals that farmers grow crops, animals thrive, and the rural economy thrives. But today, these very lifelines are groaning under our carelessness and blind traditions.
The materials left after worship—idols, flowers, clothing, plastic, vermilion, incense sticks, coconuts, and even dead pets—are thrown into the canals. Acts performed in the name of devotion have become crimes against nature.
This pain and concern gave birth to the “Listen to the Call of the Canals” campaign. It began with the efforts of Dr. Jasmer Singh Hooda (convener) in Rohtak and the Honorable Bhupendra Singh Godara in Hisar. This is not a one-day event, but the result of years of hard work and sustained awareness.
This campaign is not for political gain or organizational fame. Its purpose is simply one: to free the canals from pollution and to change society’s mindset.
Master Bhupendra Godara, born in the village of Gurera, resolved to spread this campaign to the masses. He was joined by many conscious comrades—Subedar Major Dalip Singh, Tekchand Bagri, Mr. Dalveer Potliya, retired Acharya Vijendra Singh, Krishna Kumar, Principal Ajit Singh, Nihal Singh Godara, Mr. Pawan Kumar, and many other dedicated social workers. They all firmly believe that until society changes its habits, the souls of the canals will never find peace. Laws and regulations are in place, but real change will only come when the public awakens.
Even during the horrific times of the coronavirus, this caravan remained unstoppable. Be it Sunday or holiday, festival or rain, the team was seen standing on the banks of canals holding placards in their hands. The words written on the placards were not just slogans, but a dialogue with society.
“If there is water, there is tomorrow”, “Do not pollute the canals”, “If there is faith, there should be cleanliness too”.
Social workers like Himmat Singh, Ram Murti, Narendra Kulhadiya, Praveen Vakil, Surendra Godara, Sandeep, Sitaram, Sher Singh, Vikas Godara, and Rambhagat Punia strengthened this voice. The active participation of women like Suman Godara, Santosh Godara, Rachna, Pushpa, Kamala, Sunita, Sheela, Tara Devi, and Sudesh Dhanda gave the campaign social depth.
Inspector Udaybhan Godara from Gurera also appealed to the people that until this message reaches every street and every home, change will remain incomplete. When plastic, chemicals, and organic waste dissolve into life-giving water, that very water becomes toxic. This toxic water flows into the fields, polluting the soil, reducing the quality of crops, and ultimately entering our food.
This crisis isn’t limited to agriculture. Animals, birds, and other creatures that drink canal water become sick. The risk of waterborne diseases, skin conditions, digestive problems, and long-term serious illnesses is increasing. Scientists are increasingly warning that water pollution has become a silent disaster for human health.
The core message of the “Listen to the Call of the Canals” campaign is simple and clear—religion means protecting nature. If God is omnipresent, then He is also present in rivers, canals, trees, and living beings. Then, what kind of faith is it to pollute these very elements in the name of worship? Pouring worship materials into canals is not religion, but unrighteousness.
Master Bhupendra Godara’s question speaks directly to society—”O Lord, why are people so disrespectful of nature in your name? What kind of devotion is this, filling life-giving canals with poison?” This question is the heart of this movement.
No movement is successful unless the public becomes a part of it. The biggest achievement of this campaign is that it has changed the thinking of thousands of people. Now, in many places, instead of throwing puja materials into canals, people are burying them in the soil, placing them under plants, or turning to organic fertilizer.
These small steps may seem simple, but they are the source of big changes. Culture changes only when habits change. “Listen to the Call of the Canals” is not just a warning, but a collective prayer—keep the canals clean, keep life safe.
If the canals survive, fields will remain green, animals and birds will be protected, and future generations will enjoy the gift of clean water. This campaign reminds us that water is life, and protecting it is not the responsibility of any one individual or organization, but of all of us together.
It’s time we understand the difference between faith and superstition. True faith is that which saves life—not endangers it. “Listen to the call of the rivers” is actually the call of our conscience. The only question is—are we willing to listen?
“Call of the Canals” is a powerful slogan that deserves to reach every corner of society. To strengthen it, the message “Safe water for a safe future” must be echoed just as loudly. Water is the true elixir of life, yet rivers like the Ganga and countless canals are being choked by human negligence.
In the name of faith, people often throw plastic and non-biodegradable offerings into water bodies, forgetting that devotion should never lead to destruction. Every plastic bag, not just thin ones, should be banned at the production stage, as their damage extends from canals to oceans. The campaign must reach villages and schools, especially children, who can become ambassadors for change. In earlier times, people offered a simple handful of pure water to Surya Bhagavan, not polluting materials. Industrial waste and large idol immersions pose a serious threat. While many work to save water, real change begins when every citizen learns to “think before you throw.”