SURREY – The Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society welcomed Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal to its Surrey Branch last Thursday. Sant Balbir Singh Ji is an environmentalist in India; he has taken charge of various clean-up projects of rivers in India. His environmental initiatives include the plantation of flowers, fruits, and medicinal trees for the preservation of the environment. He is the first environmentalist who is involved in the installation of underground sewerage systems to make the villages and towns clean and pollution free and the supply of treated sewerage waters for agricultural purpose to promote natural farming.
PICS was extremely honoured to host Sant Balbir Singh Ji. Baba Ji was warmly welcomed and greeted by Charan Gill, PICS C.E.O. He was given a tour of the PICS facility and informed of the initiatives of PICS. Later, in a highly informative speech, he talked about pollution and other environmental issues in India and how we can help to restore the environment back to its prime. Charan Gill presented Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal with memorabilia of PICS. In addition, individuals were given the chance to interact with Balbir Singh Ji and ask questions. Following, Sant Balbir Singh Ji was given a tour of the PICS Seniors Home located on 12075 – 80th Avenue, Surrey, BC
In his speech, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal talked about the severity of environmental concerns in India. He explained how pure water gets mingled with chemicals on its way into Punjab, from Himachal and becomes completely unfit to drink. The addition of chemicals such as arsenic, lead and cyanide into the water has led to innumerable deaths in villages. Many families have been completely eradicated. Water has not only escaped its purest form, yet it is also becoming the cause of premature deaths and diseases.
Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal also expressed his grievance at the fact that the Indian population is not realizing the necessity to take immediate action against environment deterioration. He relies on the support of people. There is no political will in India to endeavour environmental awareness. Graciously, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has initiated projects to install sewerage systems in villages. He has been highly successful in his environmental ventures.
PICS C.E.O., Charan Gill said, “The visit from Baba Seechewal is a step forward in establishing our environmental initiatives. We had a very successful event with the internationally acclaimed Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki in June where he shared his insight on climate change and environment issues with the community of Surrey for the first time. Climate Change is a global issue. This visit has enabled us to understand environmental issues in Punjab and what are the environmental issues and initiatives happening there.”
