“It is our duty towards our society to pass on the many good things we have inherited from our ancestors” the new Environment and Forest minister, Harshvardhan said today.

“We have inherited many good things, like components of great and pious environment and it is our duty to pass it on to next generation,” Harshavardhan said while speaking at “Rally for Rivers,” organised in the city.

The rally for rivers is a model that could be replicated in all parts of the Country, he said adding that it was ironic that a rally has to be taken to create awareness for protecting the rivers and also keep the environment clean.

This momentum will grow full fledged in the coming years, with more people joining, as he himself wanted to be a part of this event very much that he rushed to Coimbatore from Delhi directly after the swearing in ceremony, Harshvardhan said.

He also conveyed best wishes from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for the success of the Rally.

Cricketer Virendra Sehwag, who was the Chief Guest, said that during his child days the rivers in his area were overflowing and he wanted to witness a similar view after the successful completion of this project.

Indian women cricket captain, Mithali Raj, Formula One racer, Narain Karthkeyan wished success to the project, while State Municipal Administration minister, S P Velumani assured all possible help from the Government.

In his address Jaggi Vasudev said that no farmer would be able to do farming in a land where there is no fertility and water.

It is time we did something to bring back the fertility of the soil and water in our perennial rivers which are slowly turning seasonal.

“What is expected is to bring out the twice the amount of potential in us; that’s the reason why Sehwag is here. He scored 200 runs when everyone expected a 100”.

Later, Harshvardhan flagged off the Rally lead by Jaggi, said to to cover 7,000 Kms from Kanyakumari to Delhi. The rally will purportedly submit recommendations in consultations with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to the Government to bring in a enforceable implementation policy that will enable restoration and rejuvenation of rivers.