Need To Create Water Smart Generation, Envisaged Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat

Mumbai: Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Shekhawat addressed the national water conference titled ‘India Water Vision 2040 & Beyond’ hosted by Brahma Research Foundation in Mumbai.

While expressing concern over the rising drinking water crisis looming high over the country, he informed that a country that treats its drivers as the most sacred is now known for being the ‘contaminated water country’ in the world. Today India is striving to make safe portable water available to its last citizen.

“It is necessary that the country works towards creating an informed and water-smart generation. Only then can we become Atmanirbhar in the true essence,” said Shekhawat. “The country has made the biggest investment in the water sector. To create a water-smart generation, we will have to work on the 4 Ps – political will, increased public spending, striking strategic partnerships and increased people’s participation, he added.”

Brahma Research Foundation, a Mumbai-based strategic research think-tank that focuses on issues impacting India, both nationally and internationally organised a day-long conference to examine India’s water scenario in the context of national security, water conservation, and water management, climate change impact and its impact on water availability. A booklet titled ‘Water Warriors For a Better Tomorrow’ which highlighted case studies of successful water management from across the country was unveiled at the hands of union minister Gajendra Shekhawat.

Talking on this occasion, Shekhawat said that earlier there were separate ministries for various departments. However, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi integrated nearly three to four ministries and formed the Jal Shakti ministry to provide safe drinking water to the last citizen. This ministry started the Jal Shakti Abhiyan where all the districts across the country have been trained to work in this sector.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that all the collectors at the district level work towards creating awareness among masses on efficient use of the available water resources and for its conservation. Also, the elected representatives working in this ministry have been asked to visit their respective districts to ensure that there is re-strengthening of the available water bodies, there is an emphasis on afforestation and awareness building in the sector,” said Shekhawat.

He added saying that “It was owing to PM Modi’s persona that even the media houses started talking high about water conservation and its importance in the current times. The government embarked on a series of initiatives like River Linkage, Jal Jeevan, Namami Gange, More Crop Per Drop initiatives to manage our water resources.”

After the setting up of the ministry, Shekhawat said, that the government identified various projects that had been proposed nearly 30-40 years ago that could not see the light of the day. “Nearly 106 such projects have been identified on a priority basis, of which 26 projects are in Maharashtra, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 70,000 crore.”

Talking on this occasion, BJP leader MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar said, “India is blessed with over 800 rivers, both small and big to quench the thirst of 135 crore population and also to power the country’s economic development. We are a country that worships our rivers and yet our aqua resource faces environmental degradation.”

Dr Vijay Page, founder-director, of Brahma Research Foundation said, “We are a country blessed with water dividend as our average rainfall is nearly 42 times higher as compared to our western neighbours and almost three times higher than countries across the northern and western borders. Despite receiving huge rainfall we can utilise barely 50 per cent of the surface water flow.”

Dr Page reminded the attendees that water has been a subject of scientific study in India for thousands of years & shared an example of how poet Kalidasa accurately described the journey of India’s South-West monsoon 2400 years ago in his poem Meghdoot.

“With the deployment of appropriate water management systems, wastewater recycling and astute management of geopolitical dynamic, we can contribute positively to our national security,” said Dr Page.

Also present on this occasion BJP leader MLC Amrish Patel whose work in groundwater conservation in the Shirpur region has transformed a drought-prone region into self-sufficient benefiting farmers across 50,000 acres said, “Since 2004 we have constructed dams on every stream, whether small or big following the principle of Ridge to Valley. Nearly 320 dams have been built on a 42 sq. km area to conserve water. Self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector can only be achieved if the farmers are made aware of the importance of water conservation as well.”

BJP MLA Ameet Satam, Consul General of Isreal Kobbi Shoshani, Consul General of Malaysia, Vice-Chairman UPL Sandra Shroff, Barclays Asia Chief Economist Rahul Bajoriya, Lt. Gen Shailesh Tinaikar ( Retd), Lt Gen PG Kamath ( Retd) Amb Gautam Bambawale and other dignitaries were present on this occasion

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