WD NEWS: The Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 7th India Water Week (November 1-5, 2022) at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, in the presence of Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Ministers of State for Jal Shakti Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, and Shri Bishweswar Tudu. Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti proposed the welcome address.
In her inaugural address, the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu spoke about the multi-dimensional and complex issues pertaining to water and the need for consistent efforts by everyone to conserve this precious resource. She praised Jal Jeevan Mission and the positive results of Har Ghar Jal on the health, social life, state of women, and agriculture. She made a special mention on the role of Jal Shakti Abhiyaan. She also encouraged scientists, town planners and water experts to develop new technologies and techniques in this regard. The President expressed confidence that all will benefit from the exchange of ideas and technologies on this forum, adding that the proper use and management of water in irrigation is very important for water conservation. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana’ is a major initiative in this area.
Sharing his valuable thoughts, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, emphasised on the revival (aviralta and nirmalta) of river Ganga through the Namami Gange project, the role of gram panchayats and nagar nikaay in resolving water scarcity, and on the impact of Jal Jeevan Mission even in the remote villages of Uttar Pradesh. He urged everyone to participate in the ongoing water conservation efforts. He shared the noble message of ‘Jal Hai To Jeevan Hai’ and said that the state of UP has adequate ground and surface water supply.
The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, said on the occasion, “We need to march ahead in the field of water conservation, and make sure that the future of our children is water secured.”
In his address during the inaugural session, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stressed upon the 5 principles in resolving water challenges that include Political Will, Public Spending, Partnership, People’s Participation and Persuasion. He emphasised on the need for all stakeholders in the water sector to come together and share their expertise, knowledge and experiences to resolve the issue of water scarcity.
Smt. Akli Tudu of Jharkhand and Smt. Hira Ben from Bhuj, both Water Warrior, narrated their experiences and various initiatives taken for water conservation.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by the plenary session. The key dignitaries included Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti; H.E. Mr. Shoimzoda Jamshed, First Deputy Minister of Energy & Water Resources, Republic of Tajikistan; H.E. Eng. Maryprisca Winfred Mahundi, Dy. Minister of Water, Tanzania; Dr Asit K. Biswas, Visiting Distinguished Prof. University of Glasgow; Shri A.D. Mohile, Former Chairman, Central Water Commission, and Mr Mark Smith, Director General, IMWI. The plenary session emphasised on the strategies for water development and its management in the evolutionary process, concern of water security, conducting serious reviews of water related security concerns after scientific analysis and implementation of action plan, so that water can be proved to be an agent for peace instead of water wars.
The first day of IWW 2022 also marked the inaugural of the exhibition in the presence of H.E. Mr. Shoimzoda Jamshed, First Deputy Minister of Energy & Water Resources, Republic of Tajikistan; H.E. Eng. Maryprisca Winfred Mahundi, Dy. Minister of Water, Tanzania; Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti; and other senior officials. The exhibition area is an excellent opportunity for innovators to showcase their solutions and network with enterprise partners as it is hosting a number of water companies focussing largely on identifying and building inventive technological, political, economic and social solutions for “Water Security for Sustainable Development with Equity.”
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel & the European Union are participating in the 7th edition of India Water Week, which is supporting the need for smart, sustainable and efficient solutions to ensure a water-secure country.
During IWW 2022, there will be four technical sessions comprising 10 seminars, 10 panels discussions, events and side events. A special side event will also be organised by Denmark.
The five-day mega promises a perfect mix of knowledge-oriented insight, serious business discussions and a gamut of well-crafted seminars and enriching sessions on water & wastewater management. The 7th India Water Week will help the visitors and delegates to stay updated on the latest developments in the water industry’s policies and regulations.
Source & Image Courtesy: PIB
