DEHRADUN: Inspired by seers laying down their lives to protect river Ganga from pollution, after late professor GD Agrawal one of the IITians who laid down his life on October 11, 2018, another IITian (Kharagpur) and IIM (Kolkata) passout, Chandra Vikash has sat on indefinite hunger strike from today onwards at Jantar-mantar, Delhi.Vikash had informed everyone in the country about the need to hear Aatmabodhanand who is sitting on fast in Haridwar from past 152 days, and that on not getting any response from state or centre government, he would go on indefinite strike.Chandra Vikash(48) a native of Sitamarhi, Mithila, met fasting seer Brahmachari Aatmabodhanand in Haridwar previous Sunday with UNPFII team, which TOI had reported.Moved by the determination of Aatmabodahanand, Vikash decided to take on the charge of getting river Ganga free from pollution by following his suite of sitting on indefinite hunger strike.Sitting on strike today, Vikash said, "For the indigenous rights for Ganga that we call as Mother and the crores of indigenous livelihoods of farmers, fishermen herder , boatsmen and so many other diverse indigenous communities for whom the free-flowing and pollution-free river is the lifeline, i have decided to sit on indefinite hunger strike."In a letter to the who’s who of country, Vikash on March 22 had written that he along with his team had tried everything to reach out to the keypersons of country to reach the fasting seer at Haridwar and meet his demands which is in favor of nation' directly, “I hope President of India finds time in the next few days to visit the fasting young saint at Haridwar which is just 3-hours away from Delhi by road or Rrail before a precious life departs us.”Vikash had stated it 48 hours ago that upon not getting any response, he would sit on strike. “If we don't hear from the establishment by tomorrow 23rd March, I resolve to sit on fast from Sunday 24th March at Jantar Mantar in Delhi till the time our demands are met or I breathe last in support and solidarity with Sant Atmabodhanand's fast at Matri Sadan in Haridwar.”Speaking about his source of inspiration, Vikash says , "Brahamachari Atmabodhanand -- I was highly inspired by his articulation and mental agility even after over 150 days of fasting and his firm resolve to continue till the goals are achieved. That he is so young - 26 years and all the way from Kerala -- And professor GD Agrawal for his scientific assessment of dams and barrages, river pollution and riverbed mining which conclusively establishes the case for Aviral (free-flowing) Ganga in the larger interests of the river and its rich eco-systems as well as for crores of indigenous livelihoods, public health for all and the cultural belief of the indigenous people. I am equally proud that he was an IIT professor who lived up to the credo of 'edicated to the service of the nation' - as is inscribed on the masthead of the main building at IIT Kharagpur. I was also inspired by his bold activism as depicted in the documentary National River is Our National Guilt."Meanwhile, in Matri Sadan , Haridwar Aatmabodhanand continue to be on indefinite hunger strike and has completed 152 days of fasting today. In his support over one dozen people from West Bengal have taken over Haridwar city, distributing pamphlets and spreading a word about his cause and need to immediately save his life by bringing attention of government on his fast.

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