#LetterToRiver: Daya River by Navika Naishadha - Daya: River of Compassion

Dear River,
I believe you are doing very well in the giving the land the much-needed calmness and also delicate harmony. As I sit by your banks and write this down, the feeling of the deep appreciation and gratitude becomes overwhelming to me the more I thank you, the Daya River of Odisha.

Indeed, from the hills where you were born to the immense Bay of Bengal near which you meet, you have always been there at our side if only as a witness, watching as the nature makes up the many strands of our life for all of us. The grassy meadows with your banks, the lively life around them. All indicate what an important function you perform in maintaining the ecosystem.

While we perform the daily buzz of our own daily activities, we easily forget about those who secretly keep us going even without our acknowledgement. Today, I am very honored to give river my very sincere gratitude for being our life on this land. Your waters, though, provide the drinking to the many millions of the creatures small and also tiny like the insects as well as the giants such as the trees which occupy your shores.

Beyond material gains, you actually make a great contribution to the clarity of our sound mind. The soothing sounds of your water flows is like a song that soothe us to the sleep. At the same time, the refreshing wind that carries the living fragrance from your tree strengthens our souls. Your ponds are a place for the birds to rest, thus create a chirping competition that fills the air with the life and energy of the birds.

In a time where the nature usually undergoes a lot of abuse from the human beings, your ability to stand up for yourself inspires me a lot. In spite of all the difficulties you have, you remain to be a significant part of the eco-system, being very flexible, and catering to the needs of the ones in the wilderness depending on you. Your persistent devotion to a life support system should receive our deepest appreciation.

To sum up, my beloved river, I would like to emphasize my great fulfilment for the many functions you perform in our daily life. May then the earth being our caretaker, let us mirror the love and also warmth you bestow on us. Let us bear in our mind our steps, such that many other to come would be able to experience the nourishing welcome of your waters.

Yours lovingly,
Navika Naishadha.