The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, conferred the 6th National Water Awards, 2024, and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. 46 winners, including joint winners across 10 categories, were awarded for their exemplary work in the field of water conservation and management. Each award winner was conferred with a citation, a trophy, and cash prizes in certain categories. Also, 100 distinguished awardees were presented for their exemplary contributions to the development of groundwater recharge structures in the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative.

The event started with the traditional ‘Jal Kalash’ ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, President, Smt Droupadi Murmu, praised the award winners, stating that they have taken strong initiative towards solving the problems related to water in their respective areas and through their efforts, have created a new kind of awareness about water in society. President also appreciated the initiatives taken by the Ministry encompassing ambitious programs such as ensuring safe drinking water for all households, eradicating open defecation in rural areas, and conservation of water. She appreciated the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” scheme and congratulated the Ministry for completing more than 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures since the launch of the scheme last year.

She highlighted that from 7^th November onward, the entire nation is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the composition of our national song, Vande Mataram. In this national song, the first word written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay while saluting Mother India is “Sujalam”—meaning rich in good water resources. This reflects the priority of water for our nation. Also, "Sujalam Bharat" is a national vision and initiative focused on water security through rejuvenation of water sources, efficient water management, and sustainable practices. It involves community participation, technological integration and policy convergence across various government departments and stakeholders.

She also lauded the Jal Jeevan Mission, the world’s biggest drinking water supply program for providing safe and reliable tap water to every rural household in India.  She expressed pleasure that the drinking water supply to the households in villages has increased from 17% to 81% in the last six years. This programme has transformed the lives of rural women by providing relief from the daily activity of fetching fresh water.

She stated that encouraging and recognizing States, Panchayats, Districts, schools, individuals, and organizations for providing support to the water prosperity value chain. She emphasized that the “Jan Shakti” can help conservation and management of “Jal Shakti”.

The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil, expressed gratitude toward the award winners for their efforts in the field of water management and conservation and said that these Awards have made a deep impact and fostered a healthy competitive environment among those working in the water sector. Shri Paatil mentioned that the water conservation efforts undertaken in the Banaskantha District by public without financial support from the Government has set an example of successful water conservation and management in the area.  Minister also focused on the National Water Awards as recognition of the good work and efforts made by various stakeholders across the country in attaining the government’s vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.

The Secretary, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri VL Kantha Rao, in his speech, mentioned that water is the foundation of our life and the Ministry of Jal Shakti is focused on water conservation and management in collaboration with the public to turn it into a Jan Andolan. He highlighted the schemes being undertaken by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, mentioning the achievements of Jal Jeevan Mission, Namami Gange, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Atal Bhujal Yojana.

The Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, in his concluding remarks, gave a vote of thanks to the President of India for inaugurating the event and encouraging the national water awardees. He especially thanked the awardees and mentioned that they have shown a new path, a new energy, and a new enthusiasm in carrying forward the message of water conservation and management. Ministry of Jal Shakti has come to know something more from the exemplary work performed by awardees, on which we have to build and work more to meet the aspirations of the masses.

Reports on National Groundwater Resource Assessment, 2025 and National Groundwater Quality Assessment, 2025, were also launched by the Minister of Jal Shakti and dignitaries at the dais.  The Reports highlight a collaborative effort of the Central Groundwater Board and state groundwater organizations, providing a vital health check on one of our nation's most precious resources and addressing the equally critical question of quality.

The list of 6th National Award Winners, 2024 may be accessed at https://www.jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/.

About Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidiri (JSJB) initiative: JSJB initiative was launched on 6th September 2024 at Surat, Gujarat. The initiative, guided by a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, promotes participatory stewardship and sustainable water governance at the grassroots level. Driven by the 3Cs mantra—Community, CSR, and Cost— it adopts an inclusive model that promotes long-term water security and resilience against water stress.

Under this initiative, States are divided into five zones, and the districts are encouraged to construct a minimum of 10,000 artificial recharge and storage structures. This number is 3,000 for the districts in North-Eastern and Hilly States, while it is 10,000 for Municipal Corporations nationwide. The structures include those for rooftop rainwater harvesting, as well as the rejuvenation of lakes, ponds, and stepwells.

Please refer PIB press release to know more about JSJB initiative and the list of awardees. (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188706)

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ND