The much anticipated movement to rejuvenate and restore River Noyyal was launched today in an event presided over by social reformist Anna Hazare.

The organizers of the event called it a people’s movement and going by the number of people who attended the Noyyalai Nókki launch at Alandurai in Madhvarayapuram village, it can easily be called as an initiative by the people, of the people, and for the people.

In a bid to bring the River Noyyal back to life, representatives from four districts namely Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and Karur joined hands and formed Noyyal River Restoration Federation (NORFED). Anna Hazare, the man who made a big difference in his village, Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra was in Coimbatore, on invite from the NGO Siruthuli, as the chief guest of Noyyalai Nókki.

“When I was 25 years old, I began wondering what the purpose of my life was. I read the books of Swami Vivekananda and I drew inspiration from his writings. It was then that I decided to never get married. Since then my aim has not changed. I continue to serve the society and this gives me immense happiness. I know people who have crores of Rupees but they are not happy,” Anna Hazare said.

Also present at the event was actor Suriya, who is originally from Coimbatore. “I consider myself fortunate to share the stage with Anna Hazare. The restoration of River Noyyal is in our hands. We need to have faith and belief in whatever we do. It is a positive sign that several people have joined hands for the Noyyalai Nókki movement.” Suriya said.

Suriya also told the public that a few years ago, in a village people offered prayers for rains. But, among those who had turned up for the prayers, only one boy had brought an umbrella with him because he was confident that it will rain. “In my eyes, you have the confidence that the boy had. You have immense trust in your abilities and I’m sure that you will make this movement work,” Suriya added.