New Delhi: President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the 8th India Water Week in New Delhi on September 17, 2024, in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C. R. Paatil, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Rajbhushan Choudhary, and other dignitaries from around the globe as well as across the country.
The event commenced with the auspicious ceremony of ‘Jal Bharo’ by the dignitaries on the dais, symbolising the immense importance of water conservation. The Water Convention, with 18 sessions planned for the event, began with a focus on knowledge sharing, debates, and discussions among water experts, professionals, technocrats, and practitioners, covering the themes and sub-themes of the event.
In her address to the conclave, the President highlighted the significance of water as a vital resource for life. She quoted ancient Vedic wisdom to stress the timeless importance of water conservation, drawing upon verses that reflect the sacredness of water and its crucial role in sustaining life. Murmu further underscored that young minds, as the foundation stones of the future, should be made aware of the importance of water conservation. She emphasised, “Water conservation is the only way to give a better and safer tomorrow to coming generations.” The President expressed confidence that everyone would benefit from the exchange of ideas and technologies during this four-day-long India Water Week 2024.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C. R. Paatil, addressed the audience and emphasised the need for collective efforts to address the global water crisis. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, DoDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti, welcomed the dignitaries and briefed them on the theme of the event.
A highlight of Day 1 was the inspiring experiences shared by two grassroots women Water Warriors: Ujiaro Bai from Madhya Pradesh and Lakmen Mary Nongkhlaw from Meghalaya. These women have taken the initiative to bring change and inspire others in the cause of water conservation, earning a huge round of applause from the audience.
A Ministerial Plenary session was held under the chairmanship of C. R. Paatil, with participation from ministers of various countries, including Denmark, Guyana, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, as well as water resources ministers from Indian states. Paatil also inaugurated an exhibition on state-of-the-art technologies and solutions in the water sector.
The Global Water Leaders’ Plenary featured two sessions where leaders shared their insights on the event's theme.
A Country Forum, held on the sidelines of IWW-2024, saw participation from various countries showcasing their best practices and experiences in the water sector.
Another notable aspect of the day was the Practitioners' Forum, which began with sessions sharing best practices in the implementation of water schemes and programs, as well as lessons learned during their execution. /BI
