The Hindu : Front Page : Patil calls for broad-minded approach to water disputes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 22, 2007
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Patil calls for broad-minded approach to water disputes

Special Correspondent

Baba's contribution to Telugu Ganga project comes in for praise

OFFERING FELICITATIONS: A function organised in Chennai on Sunday to thank Sri Sathya Sai Baba for his contribution to the Telugu Ganga project. (From left) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Governor S.M. Krishna, Union Home Minister S hivraj Patil, Sri Baba, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Local Administration Minister M. K. Stalin and Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy are in the picture. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sunday stressed the need for adopting a broad-minded approach to find a lasting solution to inter-State water disputes.

Addressing a meeting here organised by Chennai Citizen's Conclave to felicitate Sri Sathya Sai Baba for his contribution to the Telugu Ganga project, Mr. Patil said that though the country was blessed with perennial rivers people in some areas faced water scarcity.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi drew a parallel between the humanitarian assistance extended by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) and the benefits extended by the DMK Government to the poor. When the Krishna water scheme was envisaged, Sri Baba had promised assistance to ensure uninterrupted supply. Mr. Karunanidhi wanted the SSSCT to bear a part of the cost of a project for cleaning of Cooum.

Explaining his sharing a platform with Sri Baba, he said many might raise their eyebrows as to how an atheist could sit next to a spiritual leader. "I always respect genuinely saintly persons who uphold the principle that service to man is service to God," Mr. Karunanidhi added.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran thanked Sri Baba for expediting the project to ensure supply of water to the residents of Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala commended Sri Baba for extending help for the canal work.

Maharashtra Governor S.M. Krishna stressed the need for giving a thrust to projects for supplying water to people.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the Telugu Ganga project was a shining example of promoting cordial relations with neighbouring States.

Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D.Kumaraswamy referred to the age-old ties between the people of Tamil Nadu and his State.

TVS Motors Chairman Venu Srinivasan said the project had been executed in such a way that water would reach Tamil Nadu without much loss.

Replying to the felicitations, Sri Baba appealed to the people not to entertain hatred of any kind. "Never hate any religion; never hate any individual," he said.

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