Episode no.96 This interview with Gangveer Singh Rathore was published on 26 October 2022. At the beginning of the interview, he said that the reports that are being published about the declining water level in Punjab are absolutely correct because most of the water-bearing areas of Punjab have been declared as dark zones. He said that the amount of water being consumed every year is not being replenished. He said that this is a very serious and worrying matter as Punjab is an agricultural state. But the government or officials in Punjab are not as worried as they are in other states. He openly discussed the issue of paving canals in Punjab and laying plastic sheet in the canals. On the other hand, talking about the big canal of Sirhand which supplies the Sutlej, he said that the post bungalows built during the time of the British on the banks of the canal can be used as tourism. He said that canals are being paved to show more availability of water in Punjab. Talking about Mattewara, he said that of course the project has been canceled but the issue has not been completely resolved yet. He said that the corporates in Punjab blackmail the government that no action should be taken against them. He told how the river water and general life of Punjab is affected due to the factories. Talking about the history of Chapar Chidi, he said that Mohali Airport should be named after “Baba Banda Singh Bahadur”. Apart from this, he said about Gurdas Maan’s song and statement that Gurdas Maan should have the ability to tolerate criticism and his song presents his narrow view. Finally, he said that people are becoming aware of the issue of water and Matewara forest and have been associated with this campaign.
~Kulwinder Kaur Bajwa