The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar urged every citizen to ensure the optimal utilisation of water resources, stressing that “every drop matters”. Emphasising that an individual’s economic capacity does not bestow the right to engage in wastefulness, the Vice-President said, “Our civilizational essence and Constitutional prescriptions all converge on one aspect: we must be responsible citizens when it comes to the use of natural resources.”

Addressing the International Conference on Dam Safety 2023 in Jaipur today, the Vice-President elaborated on the importance of dams by referring to them as “silent sentinels that ensure our access to the lifeblood of our planet”. “Dams are monuments to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the spirit of cooperation”, he added.

Highlighting the intrinsic connection of Bharat with water management, the Vice-President expounded that the Indian civilization has thrived for thousands of years on the banks of rivers, deriving life and sustenance from their waters. Shri Dhankhar also noted that ancient texts, including the Vedas and Arthashastra, mention the systematic management of water resources through the construction of dams and reservoirs to combat water scarcity.

Appreciating the Har Ghar Jal initiative as a step in the right direction, Shri Dhankhar also underlined the need to resolve perennial Inter-State Water Disputes. The Vice-President urged people to turn to Article 262 of the Indian Constitution, which outlines the mechanism for adjudicating disputes related to inter-State rivers or river valleys.

Speaking at the event, Shri Dhankhar commended the enactment of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) 2021, which strengthens India's commitment to safeguarding its dams. He also praised the successful completion of Phase I of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) and expressed hope that the recently launched Phase-II & III of the project would further enhance dam safety across several states in India.

Lauding India's growing influence on the global stage, the Vice-President said that our civilizational ethos was shared with the world during India's presidency of G20, with “the greatest acceptability”. “This summit was a defining moment for India,”, he noted.

During the event, the Vice-President virtually flagged off the vinyl-wrapped Kamakhya Express through video conferencing from Jaipur with the aim of conveying the message of the National Water Mission of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Manik Saha, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and other foreign delegates and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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MS/RC