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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
From ‘black' to blessed: 25 yrs of cleaning of Kali Bein, a global model for river revival
On July 16, 2000, environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, now a Rajya Sabha member and a Padma Shri awardee, stepped into a sludge-filled dying rivulet in Punjab, accompanied by a handful of volunteers — it was the beginning of a mission that completed 25 years on Wednesday. The mission mobilised lakhs of citizens and drew attention from national and global leaders, eventually transforming the toxic stream into a clean water body revered as a sacred site. Though the journey was not easy, the Kali Bein movement changed the narrative around the river restoration, and its success — driven by volunteerism, spiritual motivation and grassroots engineering — inspired governments beyond Punjab. And today, it stands as a global model for river revival. The rivulet Kali Bein — literally 'Black Rivulet' — a 165-km-long tributary of the Beas, originates in Dhanoa village near the Mukerian Hydel Project in Hoshiarpur district and flows through Kapurthala before merging with the Sutlej at Harike Pattan. So filthy was the stream that people began calling it 'Kali' (black) Bein, but for Sikhs, it was never just a water body; it was the sacred site where Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism, attained enlightenment. For Seechewal and his growing team of volunteers, it became a mission that combined spiritual reverence with ecological urgency. What turned the rivulet 'black'? For decades, the Kali Bein served as an open drain for over 80 villages, small towns and industrial units based in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. A major drain, Kala Sanghia, carrying industrial effluent, also emptied into it. Choked by weeds, garbage and untreated sewage, black water replaced fresh flow. Oxygen levels plummeted, and biodiversity vanished. Now, 25 years later, only a few villages still discharge untreated water into the rivulet in the absence of sewer treatment plants. Six treatment plants have been established, primarily in towns, while in several villages, a pond system has been developed in such a way that sewage is treated and water is used for irrigation. A community-led revolution On July 16, 2000, Seechewal and a few volunteers began 'kar sewa' (selfless service). Without any government funding, they cleared weeds, desilted the riverbed, constructed ghats, raised awareness and revived the water flow. Encouraged by public and presidential support, the Punjab government launched a plan to stop untreated sewage from entering the Bein. It identified 73 villages (53 in Kapurthala, 18 in Hoshiarpur, and two in Jalandhar) for intervention. Each village was to build a pond to collect and treat sewage before using it for irrigation. National and global recognition By 2004, efforts gained national recognition when President A P J Abdul Kalam praised the project in a public address and visited the site in 2006. In 2008, TIME magazine listed Seechewal among the world's top 30 environmental heroes. International platforms, including the Copenhagen Climate Summit and the Windsor Castle Interfaith Conference, invited him as a speaker. In May 2004, President Kalam included the Kali Bein among India's top nine achievements. He visited the Bein multiple times between 2006 and 2008 and spoke about it during over 2,000 national and international lectures. In 2015, then Union water resources minister Uma Bharti called the Bein a 'Guru Asthan' for the Ganga Mission. The Modi government adopted its model for the Namami Gange project. Around 500 village panchayat representatives from Ganga basin states were sent to study the Seechewal Model. Even the Delhi government announced plans to replicate it for cleaning the Yamuna. In 2017, Seechewal was awarded with Padma Shri for his work. When CM Mann drank its water On July 17, 2022, on the 22nd anniversary of the Kali Bein cleaning mission, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann drank a glass of water directly from the rivulet to showcase its purity. Two days later, he was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Delhi, sparking criticism and public concern. Why did the chief minister drink water from the rivulet that still received untreated sewage? The act was meant to symbolise faith in the movement, but it also exposed the reality — a rivulet spiritually clean, but environmentally vulnerable. Project status & road ahead Seechewal said, 'Now, in a majority of villages, ponds have been dug and pipes have been laid to carry household discharge to ponds, where it is cleaned and then used in the fields. However, in a few villages, ponds are encroached upon, and pipes have not been connected. The treatment plants in towns like Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi function, but at times, they discharge untreated water directly into the Bein. We raise these issues whenever required.' Several traditional tree species have been planted on the banks. The water is now so clean that water games like boat races are held annually. Ghats and seating areas have been constructed for visitors. Local Bodies Department officials admit, 'If the government wanted, it could have completely stopped the discharge of filthy water by simply ensuring treatment plants run properly.' The Sewerage Board, however, cites the lack of funds to operate plants. Fish die every few years due to low oxygen levels in the polluted water, especially during the summer. River's revival and lifelong commitment 'The Kali Bein's journey is far from over. Although it flows cleaner, restoring full ecological balance requires unwavering political commitment, operational funding and local participation,' Seechewal said. 'Cleaning is a never-ending process, and it's now a part of our lives. All-natural flora and fauna have returned to the Bein, and one can now see clear water most of its course.' What began with one man and a prayer has turned into a movement of faith, resilience and environmental justice. From black waters to a blessed flow, the Kali Bein's revival stands as a reminder: every river can be reborn.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Punjab youth Balwinder Singh, held captive by human traffickers in Colombia jungle, escapes death; family begs for rescue
Jalandhar: The family of 25-year-old Balwinder Singh, a US-bound youth traversing the donkey route who escaped from the clutches of human traffickers in Colombia's jungles, has approached Rajya Sabha member Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal to help his return to India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They have provided videos of the torture meted out by the traffickers upon three other men from Punjab and Haryana. Seechewal's office has forwarded these videos to Kapurthala police, as the family submitted a complaint for action against four local agents. Balwinder had left home for the US a year ago. According to his mother Shinder Kaur and sister, residents of a Kapurthala village, the torture was filmed to extort money from the three men's families. "They also ordered Balwinder to be shot to death, but he escaped. After travelling a long distance, he reached a city and contacted us after five months," they said. Seechewal, who is in Canada at present, has taken up the issue with the ministry of external affairs and contacted the Indian embassy in Colombia, urging them to take swift action to ensure Balwinder's safe return. Shinder said Balwinder was her only son. She has two daughters, while her husband is suffering from a chronic illness. She said the agents assured them that Balwinder would reach the US safely. In a bid to fund Balwinder's journey, the family sold their three acres of land and even their house, giving Rs 28 lakh to the agents. Four persons named in an application to the Kapurthala SSP hail from the village of Amritpur, Kapurthala. Balwinder left home in July 2024 with hopes of reaching the US, but was instead taken through multiple countries and eventually left stranded in Colombia, where he was handed over to the 'donkers' (human traffickers). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "There, he met four other young men from Punjab and Haryana who were also being held captive. The gang seized their passports and phones, held them in jungle camps, and continuously demanded money from their families. When payments were not made, the captives were subjected to horrific torture," Shinder and her daughter said. They said as was visible in the videos of the torture, the traffickers used plastic bags to suffocate victims, applied hot metal rods to their skin, poured melted plastic on their bodies, and inflicted cuts on their bodies using blades. From an adjacent room, Balwinder could hear the screams of the tortured victims.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Punjab youth escapes traffickers in Colombia: Donkey route survivor speaks out; family seeks MEA help
JALANDHAR: The family of 25-year-old Balwinder Singh, a US-bound youth traversing the donkey route who escaped from the clutches of human traffickers in Colombia's jungles, has approached Rajya Sabha member Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal to help his return to India. They have provided videos of the torture meted out by the traffickers upon three other men from Punjab and Haryana. Seechewal's office has forwarded these videos to Kapurthala police, as the family submitted a complaint for action against four local agents. Balwinder had left home for the US a year ago. According to his mother Shinder Kaur and sister, residents of a Kapurthala village, the torture was filmed to extort money from the three men's families. "They also ordered Balwinder to be shot to death, but he escaped. After travelling a long distance, he reached a city and contacted us after five months," they said. Seechewal, who is in Canada at present, has taken up the issue with the ministry of external affairs and contacted the Indian embassy in Colombia, urging them to take swift action to ensure Balwinder's safe return. Shinder said Balwinder was her only son. She has two daughters, while her husband is suffering from a chronic illness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She said the agents assured them that Balwinder would reach the US safely. In a bid to fund Balwinder's journey, the family sold their three acres of land and even their house, giving Rs 28 lakh to the agents. Four persons named in an application to the Kapurthala SSP hail from the village of Amritpur, Kapurthala. Balwinder left home in July 2024 with hopes of reaching the US, but was instead taken through multiple countries and eventually left stranded in Colombia, where he was handed over to the 'donkers' (human traffickers). "There, he met four other young men from Punjab and Haryana who were also being held captive. The gang seized their passports and phones, held them in jungle camps, and continuously demanded money from their families. When payments were not made, the captives were subjected to horrific torture," Shinder and her daughter said. They said as was visible in the videos of the torture, the traffickers used plastic bags to suffocate victims, applied hot metal rods to their skin, poured melted plastic on their bodies, and inflicted cuts on their bodies using blades. From an adjacent room, Balwinder could hear the screams of the tortured victims.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
2 minors drown at Seechewal event; activists seek FIR
A day after two minor boys drowned in Buddha Nullah on Tajpur road in Ludhiana during a religious event organised by AAP Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, city environmentalists and activists demanded an FIR and a thorough probe into the incident, questioning how 'ghats could be allowed on the banks of a polluted stream without any safety checks'. Seechewal has been doing 'sewa' by cleaning the polluted Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana for the past few months. At the ghat where the incident took place, he had organised 'ardaas' (prayer gathering) on Sunday and had invited people to participate in the event. He had posted the invitation on his official Facebook page, reading that the event was organised to pray for 'Sarbat da bhala' (wellbeing of all) and 'vishav vich sukh shaanti' (world peace). He claimed in the invite that the Buddha Nullah water was 'comparatively clean' near the Central Jail on Tajpur road where the event was organised. The families of both minors — Abhay Kumar, 15, and Gurjeet Singh, 13 — who drowned on Sunday, alleged that organisers had made no safety arrangements, while the organisers claimed that the children were repeatedly warned 'not to go towards the side where water was deep'. Demanding an FIR and a thorough probe into the incident, activists and environmentalists under the umbrella of the Public Action Committee (PAC), in a statement questioned that 'how such ghats were allowed to open at first place, and that too in the polluted waters of Buddha Nullah laden with industrial chemicals and effluents'. PAC member Kuldeep Singh Khaira said, 'The drowning incident needs a very quick and high-level investigation after registration of an FIR under appropriate sections of the BNS.' 'In the first place, how were such ghats allowed next to the outlets of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) by the government, and which officials gave permission? What was the need for such ghats when the primary demand was to stop industrial effluents? Which officer did the safety audits of these ghats? Why has no FIR so far been registered? Where is accountability? Will anyone be held responsible for the two deaths?' questioned Jaskirat Singh, another PAC member. The PAC has been alleging that Seechewal is using 'unscientific methods' to clean the Buddha Nullah laden with industrial effluents and chemicals from industries, and questioned how poisonous chemicals can be removed from the stream by doing a 'kar sewa'? Kapil Dev, an engineer and a PAC member, said, 'These ghats should be named 'Akal Di Ghat' (lack of wisdom) and 'Sharam Di Ghat' (lack of shame) as they were not for any productive purpose or cleaning of the stream but simply due to a tearing hurry of the government and Baba Seechewal to take credit before cleaning the stream. On the one hand, the government is not following NGT orders despite multiple reminders to stop illegal CETPs, while on the other, they are in such a hurry to create ghats which have nothing to do with cleaning of the river.' Seechewal, meanwhile, expressed his 'sadness' over the incident and said, 'The event was organised to celebrate the 'ceasefire' between India and Pakistan. What happened was truly unfortunate. People were asked not to go to the side where the nullah was deep, but they still went despite this. Inspector Bhupinder Singh at the Division Number 7 police station said no FIR had been registered so far into the incident. 'We have filed inquest proceedings as it was a tragedy,' he said.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Drowning of 2 boys in Buddha Dariya: PAC seeks registration of FIR
Ludhiana: After two boys drowned in an under-construction bathing ghat near Ram Das Nagar, activists of the Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, raised questions about public safety and demanded accountability in the case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Calling for registration of an FIR against those responsible, they urged authorities to check whether these ghats were fit for bathing, as similar incidents could occur in the member Kuldeep Singh Khaira, said, "The most unfortunate incident involving the drowning of two young boys of Ludhiana in Buddha Dariya needs a very quick and high-level investigation after registration of FIR." He questioned how the government allowed such ghats next to outlets of CETPs and which officials gave permissions. He also questioned the need for such ghats when the primary demand was stopping of industrial effluents and asked whether any safety audits were carried out. He also asked why no FIR had been registered so far and who was responsible for the two Kapil Dev and Jaskirat Singh said that the ghats did not serve a practical purpose. They claimed that the state government had made the ghats to take credit for making Buddha Dariya pollution-free without addressing the root cause of the problem. On one hand, the govt is not following NGT orders despite multiple reminders by the green tribunal to stop illegal CETPs. On the other hand, they are in a rush to create such structures, which have nothing to do with cleaning the a direct attack on environmentalist, MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, activist Dr Amandeep Bains said, "Baba Seechewal is continuing with his unscientific ways, which can be harmful and dangerous. The news of children drowning at his ghats has not deterred him. He has started removing sludge from the Tibba Road area. Flow of industrial effluents has not been stopped, three CETPs of the dyeing industry are still spewing chemicals, and Seechewal is removing sludge and opening recharge channels of the river. What kind of water will recharge to the ground? Will it not be industrial effluents that will percolate down into the groundwater of Ludhiana? Who will take responsibility for that?" However, supporters of MP Seechewal maintained that no one was supposed to bathe in the ghat, which was still under construction. They claimed that they were still levelling the drain at that point so that people could bathe there without issues. Meanwhile, cleaning of the drain at Tajpur Road continued on Monday as per the daily Attacks CM MannActivists condemned CM Bhagwant Mann's claim that PAC was slamming Buddha Dariya activists for doing nothing on the issue of "water theft" by BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) and Haryana. They claimed that the CM had questioned their absence at the dharna he was holding at Nangal against the BBMB chairman. They maintained that they had already issued statements in support of the rights of Punjab on its waters. The activists said that their team was contesting multiple NGT cases against the Punjab government, including those of illegal CETPs of the Ludhiana dyeing industry and illegal reverse boring by Malbros at Zira. They said that the CM and state government were not following NGT orders to shut down illegal CETPs of the dyeing industry. MSID:: 121110630 413 |
