Ganga: An eternal constant
In the Gangashtakam, the eight odes to the Ganga allegedly composed by the author of the Ramayana, Valmiki himself, the waters of the Ganga has been described as the final destiny for the desecrated and profane mortal body. The river is addressed here as a “resplendent necklace on the bosom of this earth” illuminating a path towards the heavens:
मातः शैलतुतासपत्नि वसुधाशृङ्गारहारावलि
स्वर्गारोहणवैजयन्ति भवतीं भागीरथि प्रार्थये।
त्वत्तीरे वसतः त्वदंबु पिबतस्त्वद्वीचिषु प्रेङ्ख-
स्त्वन्नाम स्मरतस्त्वदर्पितद्दशः स्यान्मे शरीरव्ययः।।१।।
The first two lines of this ode offer prayers to Mother Ganga, the daughter of the mountains, who dwells in the heavens. The last two lines translate as – “I hope to live on your banks, to drink your water, to be lulled by your currents, to remember your name in prayer, and to gaze upon you until the day I die.”
In presenting this special issue, we draw attention to the broad context of river rejuvenation in India in general and to the Namami Gange programme in particular as a response to the evolving development needs and environmental dynamics facing the country. This special issue on Namami Gange is a culmination of efforts from various stakeholders of the mission, dedicated professionals
and employees, researchers and institutions who have toiled hard to put together papers that are exploratory, empirical or conceptual and analyses the possibilities and limits to Ganga rejuvenation as a factor in achieving the UN SDG agenda towards 2030.
