The Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, today launched the book, “Ripples of Change: Gender-transformative rural WASH programmes in India” in New Delhi.

A joint publication of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and UNICEF India, Ripples of Change captures ten powerful stories from rural India. Documented by UNICEF, the stories reflect the transformational impact of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Jal Jeevan Mission through the lens of gender empowerment, community leadership, and grassroots innovation.

During the event, the Minister also launched the upgraded Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) website portal. The upgraded website is among the first few government platforms to be successfully onboarded and revamped in full compliance with the latest Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0.

DBIM acts as a comprehensive style guide and outlines the visual, textual, and experiential elements necessary to harmonize India’s digital footprint. Aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a harmonized and unified digital identity for Government of India, the revamped Ministry website ensures:

• Enhanced Citizen Trust through consistent government branding and recognizable interface
• Improved Accessibility with inclusive design, multilingual support, and better navigation for all users
• Higher Security and Compliance with standardized tech protocols and updated security practices
• Wider Inclusivity and Efficiency allowing seamless interaction with domestic users and global stakeholders

The upgraded portal now features a unified interface, consistent branding, and technology standardization, making Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation) an exemplar of digital excellence and accessibility.

Speaking at the event, the Hon’ble Minister shared, “The stories in Ripples of Change remind us that when women lead, change follows. ‘Ripples of Change’ is not just a book, it’s a reflection of the silent revolutions taking place in our villages. The missions of Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan are not only about infrastructure alone they are about dignity, empowerment, and transformation. Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, I am proud that our Ministry is setting new standards in digital governance with the launch of our upgraded website a platform that is not only modern and secure, but also inclusive, accessible and citizen centric.”

This event reaffirms Ministry of Jal Shakti’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community-led development.

The event was also attended by senior officials from the Ministry including Secretary DDWS, and Secretary- DoWR, Mission Directors of SBMG and JJM, Chief of WASH of UNICEF India among others.

Dhanya Sanal K