The history of the origin of most of the rivers of the world is older than the history of the development of human civilization. If the story of the descent of the river Ganges to earth is left aside, hardly anyone knows about the birthday of any river in the world. But, people living on the banks of the 15 km long Thapna river that flows in the Yamunanagar district of Haryana celebrate the birthday of their river every year on the last Sunday of September. This day is of great enthusiasm for the whole area.
A large-scale feast is organized and all the participants take a pledge to save the river from pollution and other hazards. In fact, when the Thapna river started turning into a dirty drain after becoming a victim of pollution, some people took up the task of cleaning it. They got successful in their work, so the number of fish in the river water also increased and some people started coming to the river bank to catch fish. Since the river's ecosystem was not harmed, the enthusiastic youth of the villages situated on the banks of Thapa started guarding the river banks, then thinking that a soulful feeling should be awakened among all the people towards the river, the villagers decided to celebrate the birthday of the river. In the same way, everyone celebrates the birthday of an elder in the family with enthusiasm. This initiative turned out to be a big opportunity for the area.
The last Sunday of September was chosen to celebrate the birth of the Thapa River, as River Day is celebrated around the world on that day. It was started with the aim of increasing the feelings of the people towards the river. Rivers all over the world are living the pain of being overlooked in the rush to attain new levels of development. As a result, the pollution in their water is increasing. Even a holy river like Ganga is not untouched by this pain. The question is, what will happen if the rivers start to recede? There is a small river called Bhutaha in Bihar.
A few decades ago the river suddenly started changing its course. If the river goes away, life becomes difficult. People's problems increased. It is said that after this the villagers worshiped the river collectively, asking them to forgive them if they had any crime or indecision. Then prayed that river you are a mother, keep your affection on us. It is said that after the prayer, the river again returned to its old path. Lakhpat village in Gujarat knows what happens if the river changes its course. This village, once known far and wide for its advanced trade through the water route, became deserted because a nearby river had moved a few kilometers away due to an earthquake.
The ghosts were stopped from going away after prayer, but now if the rivers are to be saved, then we have to accept the responsibility of their conservation as a prayer. People in many parts of the country have proved by conserving small rivers that if we are committed then the purity of rivers can be saved. The district administration took the initiative to save the Kosi river, which is called the lifeline of Almora in Uttarakhand. The intensive plantation was done on the banks of the river. Various groups were involved in this campaign and such structures were constructed in the river belt, which helped in maintaining the groundwater level, these efforts paid off.
Today Kosi flows with full enthusiasm. The Sasur Khaderi and Tamasa Rivers in Uttar Pradesh, Arari River in Rajasthan, Naganandi River in Tamil Nadu, Kumudavati River in Karnataka, Brihatpuja River in Kerala, and Kaliber River in Punjab have been saved through similar community efforts. Saving rivers is no less than a sacred ritual. The conscious efforts of every sensitive person in this ritual are like divine mantras, whose recitation gives positive energy to the creation.
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