To follow the course of the great Indian rivers is a dream, we are fortunate that this dream has partially manifested into the reality of this journey. What is this journey about? For us it is about ensuring that every Indian has access to safe and hygienic drinking water. Ironically while following the course of the Ganges and Jamuna a substantial portion of our daily budget was spent towards buying bottled water.
Two fundamentals have helped steer us. Our desire to follow the course of the Indian rivers is an old latent dream unrealised; as itinerant photojournalists our destinies are married to the road, we hope our representation will help change the destiny of people and issues that we focus on. By rousing collective consciousness and conscience, we hope to spark a debate. To claim that our singular effort will result in cleaner rivers will be an untruth. Our plan is three pronged: We hope to educate communities living along the river of the need to preserve and protect their resources. We hope to raise uncomfortable questions regarding collusion between corrupt government machinery and polluting units that discharge untreated effluents into rivers, and we plan to educate the masses through documentaries.
This journey starts in the glaciers of the western Himalayas; we descend with the Ganges and the Jamuna from their glacial sources into the plains of Uttaranchal and continue our journey eastward until we reach Calcutta. Yes, there are gaps, considering our limited finances; this journey in itself is a triumph. The first of many wins we hope.
This is just the first step, childlike and unsteady, but with unshakeable resolve. See you soon, we have a river to chase.
Sunil Vaidyanathan
To follow the course of the great Indian rivers with me please visit:
Introduction* Mission** Ganga** Yamuna** The Team** Sponsors** Exhibitions
and
Sunil Vaidyanathan Photography
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