NADI Mahotsav, conceptualised and copyrighted by the SAIARD-IIRA, is a multidisciplinary river festival bringing together communities, students, youth, researchers, scientists, environmentalists, artists, cultural practitioners, policymakers, administrators, industries, entrepreneurs, media and civil-society organisations on a common platform.

The Mahotsav will seek to transform the way society perceives rivers—from “water resources” to “living natural systems and shared heritage.” It will combine celebration with awareness, knowledge with dialogue, and dialogue with action. The festival can be organised annually, with different editions hosted in different river cities or river basins across India, thereby creating a nationwide River Festival Network.