Donna Goodman, Global Program Director of the Swarovski Waterschool, joined Uttarakhand Education Minister Shri Mantri Prasad Naithaniji on the holy banks of Mother Ganga at Parmarth Niketan, with the blessings of Pujya Swamiji and in the divine presence of Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, Swamini Adityanandaji, Shri Radheyshyam Gomla and Shri Ram Mahesh Mishra to discuss the creation of waterschools along the banks of the national River Ganga. Plans included working in a number of schools along the banks of the sacred river to create models that could then be replicated to hundreds of schools throughout the state of Utterkhand and throughout the nation.
The schools would be provided with:
- Adequate sanitation facilities and functional bio-toilets
- Clean drinking water systems
- Regular WASH education and activities in each school
- Other basic and crucial necessities of the students
Their fruitful discussions symbolically concluded with a global water ceremony in which the waters of the Amazon, the Alps and the River Ganga were poured onto a globe as a prayer that children all over the world, and especially through this partnership, would have access to safe and sufficient water, sanitation and hygiene. Donna also made a visit to Veerpur, Parmarth’s organic garden, and joyfully planted a beautiful Rudraksh plant that she had been given to her by Pujya Swamiji.