Dr. G.D. Agrawal's Fast Successful

Today, June 30, 2008 Dr G.D. Agrawal received a letter from the Government of India stating "The Government of India commits itself to ensuring perennial environmental flows throughout the Bhagirathi river." It has also decided to establish a high-level experts committee to recommend how this will be done. The committee will submit its report in three months.

This offer of the GoI has been accepted by Dr G.D. Agrawal. He will break his fast at 7 pm today at Maharana Pratap Bhawan, Lawrence Road, B-4 Block Keshavpuram, New Delhi.

For further details contact:

Dr Ravi Chopra 09411135976

Dr Anil Gautam 09412176896
Mr Pavitra Singh 09410706109

Dr G.D. Agrawal's Fast Enters 13th Day

ICELA files petition in HC against hydel projects on Bhagirathi

Press release 23 June, 2008

June 23, 2008 DehraDoon

I will fight for Maa Bhagirathi till my last breath: Dr. G.D. Agrawal

Dr. G.D. Agrawal, who is on a fast-unto-death in support of his demand for maintaining an unfettered flow of the river Bhagirathi (Ganga), shifted to Delhi on June 23, 2008. He is continuing his fast-unto-death at at Maharana Pratap Bhawan, Lawrence Road, (B-4 Block).
Dr. Agrawal reached Delhi as per the originally planned schedule. He has with him the official letter from the Uttarakhand government on its decision of suspending work on two major hydroelectric projects namely 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati. Dr. Agrawal is now seeking for an immediate withdrawal of Loharinag Pala, on which work is being executed by NTPC, a government enterprise, and is also seeking a written assurance regarding the same.
In its June 23, 2008 issue, Garhwal Post, a Dehradun daily newspaper has reported that Dr. Agrawal has ended his fast. A few other newspapers have reported that Dr. Agrawal has had to face stiff opposition from the locals in Uttarkashi and that he has also had to shift his base to Delhi under duress. According to Shri Anil Gautam, who was with Dr. Agrawal at Uttarkashi since last fortnight, said that such statements appearing in a section of the media are figments of imagination, misleading, false and lack truth in content and character. Speaking on behalf of Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp, Shri Gautam out-rightly rejected these contentions based on hearsay.
He said that even though a crowd of about 70-80 persons had gathered at Manikarnika Ghat at Uttarkashi, and had resorted to sloganeering against Dr. Agrawal, but these were the persons who had a direct stake in the execution of these projects. These included mostly contractors and employment hopefuls, but Dr. Agrawal has not been moved by these protests.
He said that it had been decided on June 16-17, 2008, that in the event of Uttarakhand government taking a decision to suspend work on its hydro schemes, then the base for fast-unto-death would be shifted to Delhi to pressurize the Centre into withdrawing the Loharinag Pala hydro-power project. He said that reports to this effect were also published by many newspapers. Especially, after Uttarakhand's Power Secretary Shri Shatrughan Singh handed an official letter from the Uttarakhand government to Dr. Agrawal, on its decision of suspending work on two major hydroelectric projects namely Pala-Maneri and Bhairon Ghati, that it was finally decided to shift the base from Uttarkashi on June 22, 2008 and continue the fast-unto-death at Delhi from June 23, 2008 onwards.
He said the only aberration has been in terms of a slight change in the original schedule whereby it was earlier planned to leave Uttarkashi on June 22, 2008 at 4pm after a public meeting in which delegates from around the country were to assemble at Uttarkashi. However, in view of the Uttarkashi district administration's refusal to grant permission, the programme was cancelled and since there was no point to stay back at the place, Dr. Agrawal along with his entourage left for Delhi at 8 in the morning, said Chetan Garg, who was in Uttarkashi. He said that confusion has prevailed mainly due to rumour-mongering by a group of people with vested interests.Meanwhile, Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death continued for the 11th day on Monday June 23, 2008. According to Shri Gautam, Dr. Agrawal's objective remains as clear as it was at the time when he sat on an indefinite fast: Ensure unfettered flow of the Bhagirathi or he will fast-unto death. He said that instant gains cannot be allowed to rule over the issues of faith and belief.

Jagat Guru Shankaracharya should initiate stringent measures to save the river Ganga

Under the aegi s of Ganga Sewa Abhiyan, sponsored by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, his disciple Swami Paripurnanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj and Shri Prem Dutt Nautiyal today commenced a fast-unto-death at Subhash Ghat, Har-ki-Pauri (Haridwar).
The principal objective of the fast-unto-death mentioned in its 7-point demand charter is to declare national heritage status for the river Ganga and free the river of its exploitation and pollution. In addition, the Abhiyan is also demanding that there should be no change in the land use pattern, ensuring an unfettered flow in the river Ganga, removal of all obstacles in the path of the river Ganga, cleaning all tributaries of the river Ganga and also maintain the tributaries' free flow.Contact Person: Dr. Vijay Verma – 9410561001 (M).

Press Release- 21st June 2008

June 21, 2008 DehraDoon/Uttarkashi

Dr. G.D. Agarwal to continue his fast-unto-death in New Delhi
On June 20, 2008, Secretary, Power, Housing and Urban Development Shri Shatrughan Singh called on Dr. G.D. Agrawal at Manikarnika Ghat where he is on a fast-unto-death, and handed over an official letter No. A.SHA. 140 / P.S. / Camp / dated June 19, 2008, to him.
Dr. G.D. Agrawal welcomed the Government's decision to immediately suspend work on two major power projects (480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati) in the Bhagirathi valley and said that the move reflected the government’s recognition of the importance and need for maintaining an unfettered flow of the river Bhagirathi. Dr. Agrawal, however, pointed out a few discrepancies in the government’s recent move:
1. The work on the two projects -- 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati -- has merely been suspended and these two projects have not been completely withdrawn.
2. Maneri Bhali – I and Maneri Bhali – II projects have already been commissioned and as such are proving highly detrimental in maintaining unfettered flow of river Bhagirathi. He, however, said that the Government can make amends by suitably scaling down the limit of power production, the specifics of which can be worked out at a later stage.
“Suspension of work on two major power projects is a positive sign and we are thankful to the government for the same but this leaves out the NTPC’s Loharinag Pala from the purview of projects which are needed to be completely shut down for all times to come”, said Dr. Anil Gautam, one of Dr. Agrawal’s students who is also camping in Uttarkashi. He added that until this project is completely done away with, unfettered flows of Bhagirathi cannot be ensured. He reiterated Dr. Agrawal’s resolve to continue his fast-unto-death and said that he would end his fast-unto-death only after his demand of maintaining an unfettered flow in the river Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Dharasu, was acceded to by the Government.
In a major development, Dr. Agrawal has decided to shift his base to New Delhi and continue his fast there from 23rd of June. Dr. Agrawal felt that shifting his base would be helpful to pressurize the central Government to withdraw the Loharinag- Pala project on the river Bhagirathi. He asked all Indians who revered Ganga as their mother to join him in his struggle.
Yesterday, on June 20, 2008, Jagatguru Shakaracharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati arrived at Uttarkashi's Manikarnika Ghat and met Dr. Agrawal to extend his full support to the campaign. The Jagatguru also asked one of his disciples Swami Paripurnanand to join Dr. Agrawal in his fast-unto-death.
Meanwhile, support from across the country is flowing in even as Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death in support of his demand continued for the ninth day today. Today, a letter of support from Aviral Bharat Hindu Mahasabha was received at Uttarkashi.
Dr. Agrawal's failing health condition is causing concern to his supporters. Recently, doctors who examined him had also advised urine examination and kidney and liver tests.

GD's letter to CM (Uttarakhand)

Sender: Place of Fast
Dr. Gurudas Agrawal Manikarnika Ghat, Uttarkashi June 17, 2008
To:
Honorable Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri
Chief Minister, Uttarakhand
Dehra Doon, Uttarakhand
Honorable Sir:
You are well aware of a fast un-to-death being undertaken by me since June 13, 2008 Ganga Dussehra, along with my expressed request to maintain natural flow and form of holiest of the holy Ma Bhagirathi Ganga river, while treating its 125 km long stretch from Gangotri to Dharasu as the mother of our culture and our forefathers' heritage. State Chief Secretary Shri Sujit Kumar Das informed me over the telephone that you would want to hold talks with me on this subject.
In today's morning newspapers, I read about a Cabinet Meeting held yesterday on June 16, 2008, in which there was a mention of your and Uttarakhand government's commitment towards protecting the natural form of Bhagirathi and the readiness of the state government to initiate all steps under its jurisdiction to ensure the same. But the effect was washed away immediately with a clause that laid down a condition of Centre's compensation in lieu of power and financial losses suffered. If your and Uttarakhand's faith, commitment and intentions are bound by truth and honesty, then:
1. All the gates of Maneri and Uttarkashi barrages should be opened and the Maneri Bhali-I and II power houses be shut down.
2. There should be an announcement of a policy/pledge of non-interference in the natural flow and form of the river Bhagirathi from Gangotri to Dharasu.
3. Administrative orders of shutdown of work on the Loharinag-Pala project should be handed over immediately to NTPC and Patel Engineering.
4. Pressure be applied for compensation in lieu of losses suffered and exercising the onus of responsibility of protecting the river Ganga, on the Centre. In doing so, you would not only get our support but also of every devotee and pure-hearted Indian citizen.
Please do not delay – it is an issue of Faith.

Sd/-
Gurudas Agrawal

GD's appeal

Re: My Intention of "Fasting Unto Death" for Conservation of BHAGIRATHI
Dear: …………………………………...
1. As you are aware, R. Bhagirathi Ganga has a very special place in Indian culture, thought and tradition. In the past few years, however, the continuity, quantity, quality and regime of flows is being disrupted for generation of hydro-electricity like all other rivers. Already in the reach downstream of Maneri, long stretches of Bhagirathi remain water less for long periods. In near future this may become the state of the entire river. As a serious student of environment sciences and as a faithful Hindu, this is hard for me to swallow. I strongly believe that at least Bhagirathi upstream of Uttarkashi should be spared of any works that disturb it’s natural flow-regime, ecology, purity or piety and, after brooding over it for several months, I have decided to oppose such works with all the might I have.
2. What might do I have to oppose such works in the face of the terrible last for money, material comforts and particularly for electrical energy both on part of the governments and masses alike at the present state of our country? Well, I Pride to be from a culture that places the power of "Sacrifice and asceticism" (riL;k) above all other powers. And what is the use and meaning of "faith" if one is not willing to sacrifice for it! So after deep deliberation I have decided to "fast-unto-death" to oppose the destruction of this ecological marvel and the epitome of Hindu cultural "faith".
3. In Chitrakoot, where Lord Rama performed his Tapasya, on his auspicious birth-day, Ram-Navami, April 14, 2008, I hereby resolve, that barring circumstances unforeseen, I shall go on a "fast-unto-death" from Ganga-Dashehra, June 13, 2008 to oppose the foul meddling going on with the stream of Bhagirathi upstream of Uttarkashi. May Lord Rama give me the strength of staying firm in my resolve.
4. In the name of your affection and concern for me, I pray to you not to do anything that may even distantly try to make me waiver from my resolve and if by any means, you find me your blessings.
5. After May 15, 2008, I plan to stay somewhere around Uttarkashi most of the time. You could find my location from either M.C. Mehta Environmental Foundation (Tel: 011-41756519) or from People’s Science Institute (Tel: 0135-2763649)
With affectionate good wishes,
Your own cultural conscience

(G.D. Agrawal)

June 20 press release

June 20, 2008 DehraDoon/Uttarkashi

Dr. G.D. Agarwal thwarts Government emissary
Dr. G.D. Agrawal today told State Power Secretary Shatrughan Singh that even though the Government's recent decision to suspend work on two major power projects in the Bhagirathi valley was a welcome step in the right direction, he would not end his fast-unto-death until his demand of maintaining an unobstructed flow in the river Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Uttarkashi, was acceded to by the Government.
In the morning, the Power Secretary Shatrughan Singh called on Dr. Agrawal and handed him an official letter containing decisions taken by the State Cabinet in a meeting held on June 19, 2008. During the talks, the Power Secretary urged Dr. Agrawal to end his fast-unto-death. Dr. Agrawal responded that the Government's decision to suspend work on two power projects namely 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati projects was welcome but his original demand has not been met. Dr. Agrawal also rejected all requests from the visiting Government emissary to end his fast-unto-death and said that more was required to be done to maintain an unobstructed flow of the River Bhagirathi in its 125 km stretch between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.
In a major development, Jagatguru Shakaracharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati today arrived at Uttarkashi's Manikarnika Ghat and met Dr. Agrawal to extend his full support to the campaign. Yesterday, the Shankaracharya has also sent letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi in support of Dr. Agrawal's campaign to save the river Bhagirathi.
Meanwhile, Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death in support of his demand continued for the eighth day today. Already, doctors have reported Dr. Agrawal's failing health condition due to a prolonged denial of any food and nutrition to his body. Yesterday, they had also collected his urine samples for examination and recommended kidney and liver tests.
Various other organizations and individuals have also stepped up their support to Dr. Agrawal on the issue. Today, Swami Chidanand Muni of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) and Swami Hansdas, secretary of Rashtriya Sant Samaj met Dr. Agrawal and conveyed their support on the issue to him.

Dr G.D. Agrawal's Fast-Unto-Death

Dr G.D. Agrawal, the doyen of environmental engineers in India[1], has been on a fast-unto-death from June 13, 2008 demanding that River Bhagirathi Ganga be allowed to flow in its natural, unrestricted form, from Gangotri to Dharasu. Ultimately, six dams or barrages will be built on this stretch of the river. These are (see map):
(1) Bhairon Ghati I (380MW): still in the planning stage.
(2) Bhairon Ghati II (65 MW): also in the planning stage.
(3) Loharinag-Pala (600 MW): NTPC began construction over 2 years ago. A road, a tunnel and a residential colony are under construction.
(4) Pala-Maneri (480 MW): construction work inaugurated on June 11, 2008.
(5) Maneri-Bhali I (90 MW): a barrage built in the 1970s.
(6) Maneri-Bhali II (304 MW): a barrage inaugurated in May 2008.
Once these structures are completed, River Bhagirathi will flow in tunnels over half the stretch from Gangotri to Dharasu.
Dr G.D. Agrawal has asked for a legally valid guarantee from the Prime Minister of India that none of the above structures would be constructed or operational (MB I & II). In response, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri B.C. Khanduri, has let it be known through his intermediaries and the press that he is willing to drop Bhairon Ghati I and II and the Pala Maneri dams, for which the Government of India should compensate the state of Uttarakhand. He has also said that for the cancellation of the Loharinag-Pala dam, Dr Agrawal should shift his fast to New Delhi and take his demand to the Government of India.
Dr Agrawal has bluntly rejected this 'offer' of the Chief Minister and has reiterated that:
(1) The conditionality of compensation for canceling the BG I & II and Pala-Maneri projects from the GoI is irrelevant to Dr Agrawal. (The Chief Minister should cancel all the projects first and if he wants the state to be compensated he can demand that separately from the GoI. (He should not make the compensation issue a condition for Dr Agrawal.)
(2) The MB-I & II barrages should be decommissioned by permanently opening all their gates.
(3) The CM should immediately order the stoppage of all the work on the Loharinag-Pala project.
Dr Agrawal has told Shri Khanduri's intermediaries that once he has a firm, legally beinding, commitment from the CM of Uttarakhand to cancel the BG I & II and Pala-Maneri projects and to decommission MB I & II, he is willing to consider taking his demand for the cancellation of the Loharinag-Pala dam to New Delhi.
In a strongly worded statement on June 18, 2008 Dr Agrawal has expressed his contempt for senior BJP Leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi and B.C. Khanduri, Shri Ashok Singhal's machinations and the meeting convened by Baba Ramdev and others.
In the meantime, Dr G.D. Agrawal's firm stand continues to receive strong support from scientists, professionals and common people as evidenced by the signatures on an online petition, sympathy fasts, dharnas and signature campaigns across the country and the steady stream of visitors in Uttarkashi. On June 18, 2008 Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, has also appealed to the Prime Minister of India and the Chairperson of the UPA to heed Dr. Agrawal's call.
_______________________

Dear Anil,I had shared the background with you and others on this list because you has certified them as a select group of friends. I hope the information remains within the group. But I may be wrong because already two people outside the list have asked me about what your first email means. I do hope your 'selection' has been appropriate and discreet.As for any discussion, all we have so far is a response from Soumya which does not really throw any further light of what could be a strategy - particularly in view of whatever may be the "presence of long standing people's struggles" . (Also, I might add that the remark about "low local participation" may not be fully correct.)WarmlyDunu

On Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 2:51 PM, anil sadgopal <anilsadgopal@yahoo.com> wrote:

[1] A civil engineer from IIT-Roorkee, Dr Agrawal did his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He was the Head of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at IIT-Kanpur. In the early 1980s he became the first Member-Secretary of India's central Pollution Control Board, where he established the pollution regulatory structure and guidelines for the whole country.