TN CM, Rajinikanth support Jaggi Vasudev's Rally for Rivers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, his Deputy O Panneerselvam and Tamil 'superstar' Rajinikanthtoday lent their support to the 'Rally for Rivers' campaign taken up by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Foundation.
Speaking at a function organised by the foundation, the chief minister said the state government had been urging for inter-linking of rivers. It had urged the Centre to place the law on interlinking of rivers before the Parliament.
Besides Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, Vasudev, Apollo Hospitals Chairman Prathap C Reddy actress Suhasini, noted carnatic vocalist Sudha Raghunathan and a host of leaders, who held placards with the slogan "Rally for Rivers" were present at the function.

Hailing the initiative taken up by Vasudev, Palaniswmi said the government would extend its cooperation if the Isha Foundation members came forward to plant trees on the banks of rivers.
He said every one should co-operate for the success of the initiative taken up by Jaggi Vasudev.
"The government has also planned to construct check dams at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore in a three year period", he said adding steps were taken up to plant seven crore tree saplings in forest lands.

Palaniswami said for the retrieval of water bodies in the state, the government executed 1,519 projects at a cost of Rs 100 crore in 2016-17.

"For the 2017-18, a total of 2,065 works at a cost of Rs 300 crore will be taken up", he said.
Rajinikanth, in a video message said rivers were similar to blood veins and needs to be 'safeguarded'.
"A human body does not function without blood veins. For the earth, the rivers are the veins. It is our duty to safeguard the rivers. I pray for success for the initiative taken up by Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev)", he said in the message, shared on various social media.
According to the Isha Foundation, the "Rally for Rivers" is a nation-wide campaign to save rivers in the country.

Vasudev would travel by road for about 7,000 kms from Kanyakumari to New Delhi covering 16 states to create awareness on the issue.
The rally, flagged off on September 3, will culminate in New Delhi on October 2.