Narmada146;s dilemma

My life followed the river8217;s westward path

On most public issues, I can take a position without much difficulty. But there is one issue 8212; Narmada 8212; on which I am torn. The reason is that while I was born on the bank of this river 8212; in Jabalpur, MP 8212; and grew up in a cultural environment of which the river was an integral part, after I got married I travelled the same westward path as the river. My new home was in Gujarat, where I have been living for two decades now.

Narmada is central to my childhood memories. We lived just a few kilometres from it and savoured the fruits and vegetables grown with its waters. Most of our picnics used to be at the beautiful spots around the river. Places like Dhuandhaar, where the river descends in a gigantic fall raising clouds of mist; and Bhedaghat, where the river passes through the famous marble rocks. The mesmerising effect of a boat ride on a moonlit night through those rocks, I can never forget. No religious ceremony was complete without a visit to the river, for it is regarded as more sacred than even the Ganga, because it is believed to be a kunwari nadi, a virgin river.

Legend has it that the river Son had wedded the river Narmada, but because its waters mingled with another stream, the latter got angry, changed her course from east to west and vowed to remain a virgin. As Lord Shiva is believed to have blessed her with special religious powers, Narmada8217;s mere sight is said to bring uncounted blessings. Rani Rupmati, the legendary consort of Bagh Bahadur, the medieval king of Malwa, never ate without seeing the Narmada. So he had a mahal erected for her on a mound at Mandu, from where she could see it. The mahal still stands 8212; and on a clear day the silvery presence of the Narmada is visible from there.

With such folklore, it is tragic the river has got embroiled in a controversy. A river is like a life-giving mother. She wants to reach out to the parched lands and quench the thirst of people but would she like to destroy villages by submerging them? I cannot say. I have lived in the semi-arid regions of Saurashtra and north Gujarat and have seen how repeated droughts suck the sap from the lives of hardworking farmers. But I can also empathise with the tribals living upstream whose villages are threatened.

A lasting solution must be found. How, I do not know. But whenever it is found, I will be the happiest person alive.