Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the Sadanira Samagam, a key event under the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan, at Bharat Bhavan on June 20 at 6 PM.
The programme will be presided over by Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, and Religious Trusts and Endowments.
The event will open with the screening of the short film Sadanira, directed by Rishikesh Pandey. On this occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav will also unveil a collection of publications, including Sadanira, Prithvi Pani Ka Desh Hai..., Amrit Jaldhara (a four-volume set), and Jal Dhara.
These have been published by the Veer Bharat Trust, the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, and the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Folk Art and Dialect Development Academy.
Among the dignitaries attending will be Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain and Principal Secretary of Culture and Tourism Shri Sheoshekhar Shukla.
Highlighting the uniqueness of the event, Chief Minister’s Cultural Advisor and Trustee Secretary of Veer Bharat Nyas, Shri Shriram Tiwari, said, “Sadanira Samagam is the only festival in the country dedicated to promoting and preserving rivers, water sources, and traditional water structures through a wide range of activities.”
He further added, “For the first time, more than 200 scientists, archaeologists, litterateurs, writers, journalists, film actors, and theater artists from diverse fields—including literature, art, and science—will come together to participate in this unique event.”
Over 200 celebrities will unite for the first time in India to conserve water structures Bharat Bhavan to host ideological and cultural programmes until June 25, 2025.
Emphasizing the spirit of the event, Shri Tiwari noted, “Sadanira Samagam is not just a festival, but a collective effort to express gratitude and raise awareness about our rivers, water culture, and life-giving water streams.” He added that the event carries an important message: “Rivers are not merely physical sources of water but represent our cultural heritage, spiritual foundation, and collective consciousness.”
The festival will bring the story of rivers to life through various mediums, including exhibitions, musical performances, dance, literature, and public dialogue.
A special screening of Raga of River Narmada, produced by Madhya Pradesh Madhyam and directed by Rajendra Jangle, will be one of the highlights.
Cultural performances will include Sound of River, a poetic-musical collaboration by Smita Nagdev and Rahul Sharma, and Hum Nava, a dance drama choreographed by renowned artist Vidushi Sharma Bhate from Pune.
Exhibitions Showcasing Aquatic and Water Heritage
As part of the Samagam, the Department of Public Relations, Madhya Pradesh will organize a thematic exhibition on Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan. A major component will be a photo display curated by the Department of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums, capturing the state's legacy of ancient water conservation, including stepwells and traditional water systems.
In addition, an exhibition titled Jalchar, focusing on aquatic biodiversity, will be presented with the support of the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, Barkatullah University, and the Regional Natural Science Museum, Bhopal.
Another visual attraction will be Amritasya Narmada, a photographic tribute to the Narmada Parikrama by veteran photographer Shri Rajendra Jangle, offering audiences a visual journey along the sacred river’s banks.