Community Leadership Takes Centre Stage as WaSH Warriors Join Republic Day Celebrations as Special Guests of National Jal Jeevan Mission, DDWS
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, hosted 58 WaSH Warriors from Swachh Sujal Gaon villages across India during 25th January 2026 to 27th January 2026 as its special guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. Nominated by States and Union Territories under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), these WaSH Warriors were drawn from rural households, poor and marginalized communities, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) majority villages and vulnerable tribal groups, showcase community‑led progress in rural water and sanitation.
Upon their arrival in Delhi, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) warmly welcomed the Special Guests at various key locations across the National Capital, including the airport, bus stands, railway stations and State Bhawans. The WaSH Warriors were greeted with heartfelt hospitality, marking the beginning of a memorable celebration. This vibrant welcome not only set a festive tone for their visit but also underscored the respect and recognition accorded to their dedication and achievements in rural water and sanitation initiatives.
On 25 January 2026, as part of their three-day visit, the Special Guests toured the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya and later, interacted with senior officers of the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS). The interaction was led by Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), at Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi.
During this interaction, AS & MD Shri Kamal Kishore Soan welcomed the Special Guests and said that through them, DDWS hopes to spread awareness about water and sanitation efforts among rural communities and deepen community participation.
On 26th January 2026, the Special Guests attended the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, where they witnessed the national celebrations. Their presence at the Republic Day Parade reinforced the importance of Jan Bhagidari and highlighted community engagement as a core pillar of national development.
In another major highlight, the Special Guests of DDWS on 27th January 2026 attended a ‘Samvad Samaroh’ held at the Palika Services Officer’s Institute (PSOI), New Delhi, where the Ministry of Jal Shakti recognised their contributions as WaSH Warriors and celebrated their role in community-led progress. During this event, they interacted with the Hon’ble Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, in the presence of the Hon’ble Ministers of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna and Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
The Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti congratulated the WaSH Warriors for their efforts and encouraged them to continue adopting innovative practices in water conservation, water management, and sanitation. He also emphasized that Swachhata is not merely a slogan but a way of life and a collective responsibility. He highlighted the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), noting that it has benefited over 9.5 crore women by reducing the burden of fetching water and saving an estimated 4.5 crore hours of women’s time. He also underlined the positive impact of tap water connections on women’s safety.
During the ‘Samvad Samaroh’, four WaSH Warriors shared their personal journeys and community experiences. Shri Motilal from Bijrakchhar village in Chhattisgarh, Ms Nijuma Devi from Kendukuchi village in Assam, and Mrs Lentsothsi from Tutheyo village in Nagaland spoke about how access to clean household tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission has eased long-standing hardships such as water scarcity, long hours spent fetching water, and health issues linked to unsafe water.
They described improvements in water quality, a reduction in water-borne diseases, time savings for women and a noticeable enhancement in the overall quality of life. They also shared their efforts to promote water conservation, hygiene awareness, and sustainable practices within their communities. Additionally, Shri Amrutbhai Parmar from Timbachudi village in Gujarat shared his experience of working with the community to develop sustainable systems such as model wells to ensure uninterrupted rural water supply and spoke about the recognition his village has received for these collaborative efforts.
The event also featured the dissemination of the Jal Jeevan Mission booklet titled “Peyjal: Jan Shakti Ki Abhivyakti – Volume II”, which documents the stories of the WaSH Warriors and highlights their role in strengthening safe and sustainable drinking water systems at the grassroots level.
Some of the Special Guests later visited the National War Memorial and India Gate after the ‘Samvad Samaroh’.
The WaSH Warriors nominated by States/UTs as ‘Special Guests’ represent progress achieved in Swachh Sujal Gaon villages, which are Har Ghar Jal certified under JJM and ODF Plus Model verified under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
The Special Guest invitation to the Republic Day Parade, along with the Samvad Samaroh, also reflects the Government of India’s recognition of the vital role played by rural communities in advancing national priorities. Their participation underscores the spirit of Jan Bhagidari and reaffirms community engagement as a core pillar of national development, especially in the domains of water conservation, sanitation and hygiene.
Source: PIB
