All who are born must one day die; this, everyone, knows.

Yet, brother, there is a great difference

between one death and another. Not all deaths are equal.

If an entire life is spent at the instigation of bloodsuckers,

in hostility towards the people,

and death comes at the end of such a life,

then, brother, seeing the weight of that death,

even a bird’s feather laughs. Not all deaths are equal.

But if death comes after a life dedicated

to the dispossessed and suffering masses,

then, under the weight of that death,

even the mighty Himalayas bow down in defeat.

Not all deaths are equal.

- Pratul Mukhopadhyay (Poet)

Today marks the 15th martyrdom day of Swami Nigamanand Saraswati Ji.

Friends, let us come to know an extraordinary personality — Swami Nigamanand Saraswati Ji. In January and June 1998, he undertook a 70-day fast to stop illegal mining in the bed of the River Ganga. Later, at various times, the monks of Matri Sadan Ashram continued to raise their voices for the uninterrupted, natural flow of the Ganga.

On 19th February 2011, Swami Nigamanand Saraswati once again began a fast against illegal mining. When his physical condition deteriorated, he was admitted to the hospital. It was later alleged that poison was administered to him there through an injection. As a result, on 13 June 2011, on the 115th day of his fast, Swami Nigamanand Saraswati passed away. Although a CBI investigation was conducted, its report is still not known. To ordinary people, this was nothing less than murder. Let us remember such people. Let us also try, in whatever way we can, to do at least something in their spirit.

Matri Sadan Ashram has continued its sacrifice, spiritual discipline, fasting, and movement for an uninterrupted and pollution-free River Ganga; for the protection of the environment, nature, biodiversity, and the natural form of the Ganga; for reducing the dangers created by human civilisation; and for the welfare of all of us. “Let the Ganga flow freely and uninterruptedly.” Let us all spread this slogan everywhere across the country.

Because if the small and large branch rivers, tributaries, canals, water bodies, ponds, and wetlands do not remain alive, then the living existence of the Ganga — the lifeline of the nation and the life-giving flow of our land — cannot be preserved either.

Friends, come, join, and raise your voice to restore the River Ganga to her natural form. Our aim should be to make every possible effort, through every medium and in every way, to spread the message of Matri Sadan Ashram’s resolve and its extraordinary struggle throughout the country.

Friends, for an uninterrupted and pollution-free River Ganga, and to reduce the dangers created by human civilisation, spread the slogan everywhere across the country:

“Let the Ganga flow freely and uninterruptedly.”

Ecological Solidarity Movement

Paribesh Bandhab Mancha Barrackpore