Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred the fourth National Water Awards in New Delhi today, June 17. The Jal Shakti Ministry had announced a total of 41 winners, covering 11 categories, including joint winners, for the National Water Awards, 2022.
Madhya Pradesh was awarded the first prize in the best State category. In the best district category, the award was given to the Ganjam District of Odisha. The best Village Panchayat award was presented to Jagannadhapuram Village Panchayat, Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana. Each award winner was conferred with a citation and a trophy as well as cash prizes.
As part of the ongoing nationwide drive to realise the Government’s vision of a water-prosperous India, the award focuses on encouraging the good work and efforts made by various individuals and organisations. It seeks to create awareness among people about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best water use practices.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President stressed the need for water conservation. He asked people to use natural resources as per their necessity adding that Indian culture also teaches people about the judicious use of natural resources. He emphasised the need to adopt the mantra of the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to revive the country’s ancient water harvesting systems like ponds. Mr. Dhankhar also talked about Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water connections to people and termed them as game-changers.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed that around 56 thousand Amrit Sarovars have been constructed and almost the same number of Amrit Sarovars are under construction in the country.