Jal Satyagraha: Durg collector asked to initiate cleaning lake

RAIPUR: Day after TOI reported about national level swimmers hold ‘Jal Satyagraha’ to clean lake where they practice in Durg district, secretary Sports and Youth Welfare department takes cognizance of it and has written to collector to personally take initiative in conservation of lake by ensuring that no sewage water flows into the lake and campaign to clean it should be launched. He also asked sports deputy director to inspect the place and guide players in this regards.
More than 50 state and national level swimmer have been holding ‘Jal Satyagraha’ for past three days demanding to clean Purai lake as it is the only source for them to practice swimming. The lake was connected to two sewerages and animal waste was also being dumped in it which caused skin infections among the swimmers.
TOI highlighted the plight of swimmers who had either withdrawn their names from national competitions or failed to perform like they did in lack of practice.
Taking cognizance in the matter, sports and youth welfare secretary Sonmoni Borah wrote to district collector UmeshAgrawal on November 2 to ensure if the region was open defecation free and should make sure that there was no sewerage connected to the lake.

In the letter he wrote that that administration should initiate for ‘lake cleaning campaign’ with the help of locals and residents, in which, Borah offered that he too would participate.
He said that there were several schemes and projects of state government through which the lake can be conserved uplifted and kept clean.
“Hence, I would like collector to personally initiate in the matter. Purai is famously known as ‘khelgaon’ which has produced many national level players. So, required arrangements and facilities should be considered and ensured for the players in the region. These performers should be encouraged to go for trial at Sports Academy and Sports Training Academy of Sports Authority of India. If selected, these players would get free training as well as facility for education as well,” Borah said.
He added that he has directed the depurty director of sports and youth welfare department to inspect the said place and ensure to rectify the problem, also, he should guide the players to move ahead in sports field.