Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal, Commissioner and Secretary of the Information, Public Relations, Languages, and Culture Department, released the book Ek Boond Sau Sawal as the chief guest at Haryana Niwas in Chandigarh on Friday. Co-authored by renowned writer Dr. Shamim Sharma and her daughter-in-law Dr. Sarita Sharma, the publication focuses on the critical message of water conservation. Commending the authors for their exceptional work, Dr. Agarwal praised the book for weaving together historical, literary, cultural, and environmental aspects of water in a simple and engaging style suitable for readers of all ages.
Inspired by the insights in the book, Dr. Agarwal announced a key decision recently taken during an Industry Department meeting. State authorities have now made it mandatory to assess water availability and feasibility before approving any new industrial project or park in Haryana. Furthermore, industrial units are required to prioritize water conservation to prevent the depletion of underground water resources. Dr. Agarwal noted that Haryana is a semi-arid state where water holds immense cultural and scientific significance, pointing out that ancient traditions like well-worship were historically connected to religion to prevent water pollution and safeguard public health.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Agarwal emphasized the vital importance of taking pride in one’s mother tongue, observing a growing linguistic gap among today’s youth. He highlighted Hindi as a primary unifying language for the nation and stressed the need for creating simple, high-quality, and practical books like Ek Boond Sau Sawal to preserve it. Joining the event as a special guest, Naresh Kaushal, Editor of Dainik Tribune, described literature as a powerful catalyst for social change rather than mere expression. He praised Dr. Shamim Sharma’s distinctive contributions across various genres, particularly her efforts in according literary dignity to the Haryanvi language and raising awareness on pressing social issues. The Director of the Urdu Cell at the Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Academy also extended his congratulations, underlining the urgent need for collective action on water conservation. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Shamim Sharma shared that the book comprises 49 chapters dedicated to water preservation, crafted specifically to address the pressing necessity of saving water today.
