ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL PROJECTS AT THE PILGRIM TOWNS ALANDI, DEHU AND PANDHARPUR

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The project of Environmental Improvement and Pollution Control initiated and completed at Alandi - Dehu on the banks of the holy river Indrayani, is an example of the fulfillment of Dr. Karad’s commitment to Healthcare, Hygiene, Sanitation, Preservation of Ecology and Pollution Control, issues, which are of great relevance, particularly in India because of the huge gatherings on various occasions at different religious and other socially oriented centers. Shri Kshetra Alandi-Dehu-Pandharpur Parisar Vikas Samiti established in the year 1986 took up this unprecedented project of constructing the huge beautiful and long-lasting Ghats on the banks of Indrayani River and diverting the highly polluted sewage from the towns away from the river and providing pure potable drinking water as a "Holy Teertha" to the pilgrims.  Frequently, cleaning programmes of the river-bed as well as the area on both banks of the river are undertaken by the students, staff and other socially committed groups to maintain the cleanliness and the sanctity of these pilgrim centers.  A number of cleanliness drives are regularly undertaken at the places like Barshi, Pandharpur, Rameshwar etc. under the socially committed leadership of Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad.  

 
Prof. Vishwanath D. Karad firmly believes and advocates that “the rule of law of any nation must run close to the rule of life of the people, and the rule of life of a human being must run close to the rule of Mother Nature, because the rule of Mother Nature, is the rule of Almighty –The Creator –The Brahma – The God”.  A Comprehensive Development Plan of Pandharpur as envisioned by Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad   The Holy Town of Pandharpur is known as Dnyan-Pandhari or Knowledge Center and is one of the most important pilgrim towns not just in Maharashtra but whole of India. Nearly, one crore (ten million) people visit Pandharpur each year. This necessitates the creation of proper sanitation facilities, clean drinking water, healthcare and medication facilities, proper roads, parking places etc. and most importantly, keeping clean the surrounding on both banks of famous Chandrabhaga / Bhima River. Unfortunately, inspite of the sincere efforts of the Govt. of Maharashtra and the local municipal authorities the present conditions at Pandharpur are not sufficient to meet the healthcare, hygiene and environmental requirements.   With this in mind and with a futuristic view of next 100 years, Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D.Karad conceptualized and prepared a highly comprehensive Development Plan of Pandharpur and took the initiative of presenting it along with eminent computer scientist Dr. Vijay Bhatkar to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the concerned authorities to consider for implementation. The Hon'ble Chief Minister and other Govt. Authorities have appreciated this unique development plan of Pandharpur and have indicated their willingness for its implementation with some minor changes.  The development plan of Pandharpur prepared and presented by Dr. Vishwanath Karad and Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, if properly implemented will be a major path-breaking initiative and an ideal role-model for the development of all other pilgrim centers in India.

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ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIQUE MULTI-MEDIA COLISEUM PROJECT FOR MASS EDUCATION - ALANDI 

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One of the most unique and noteworthy projects initiated, executed and put in to action by Prof. Vishwanath D. Karad through World Peace Centre of MAEER’s MIT, Pune, India, under the able guidance of eminent Computer Scientist Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, and Well-known Scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, is a Multi-Media Coliseum with 63’ x 45’ permanent concrete based screen viz. “VISHWAROOPA DARSHAN MANCH” established on the banks of 

 
Indrayani River at Alandi, with a modern projection system for promoting “MASS EDUCATION PROGRAMME’ in the fields of Interfaith, Inter-religious dialogues, Human Rights Education, Democracy, World Peace, Pollution Control, Health and Hygiene issues, Role of Science and Spirituality, Sustainable Development, Conservation of Nature etc. This multi-media coliseum project is going to play a key role in TRANSFORMING PILGRIM CENTERS OF INDIA INTO DIVINE KNOWLEDGE CENTERS OF INDIA, and the World which Prof. Karad hopes and feels confident that it will help to educate, train and enlighten the human race in the 21st Century, in appropriately understanding the essence and philosophy of all the world religions and the role of science and spirituality in promoting the Culture of Peace.  It is a landmark achievement in the field of education and training of masses and an ideal example set forth by Prof. Karad for dissemination of knowledge.  

 

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ERECTION OF 145-FEET TALL GARUD STAMBH - FLAG POST - A SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE, DEVOTION AND DEDICATION, CONVEYING THE MESSAGE OF KNOWLEDGE DIVINE / WISDOM, DEDICATED TO WORLD PEACE, AT ALANDI, PUNE, INDIA 

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Mother India is more known for its tradition, culture and the Philosophy of Sacrifice, Dedication, Devotion and its Humanitarian Approach. Particularly, it is worth mentioning that the entire country and Maharashtra State in particular is highly spiritually oriented with an appropriate understanding about the essence of philosophy of all World Religions and Role of Science and Spirituality.   India has always worshipped the Knowledge Divine and has been in the quest of the Ultimate Reality - Ultimate Truth. Further, India is increasingly being recognized as the "Knowledge Corridor" of the World, championing the cause of World Peace.   As a symbol of Knowledge Divine / Wisdom and World Peace, Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad conceptualized and implemented the erection of 145-Feet tall Garud Stambh - Flag Post at Alandi, which was completed in a record time of 45 days.   On a concrete pillar of 118 feet stands the 27-feet tall "Garud Stambh", which is Gold Plated and bears the flag of the Warkari Community, symbolizing Sacrifice, Devotion and Dedication. On top of this Gold Plated Garud Stambh has been placed a light source, which signifies the GYANJYOTI or the Light Of Knowledge Divine, spreading the MESSAGE OF WORLD PEACE.