The Ministry of Jal Shakti brought together voices of change and young champions for water conservation through a special interaction programme led by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil with WaSH Warriors from across the country and school students at PSOI in New Delhi. The programme was graced by the presence of Minister of State Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary and Shri V. Somanna, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR Shri V.L. Kantha Rao and Director General, NMCG Shri Rajeev Mital, along with senior officials of NMCG.

 

The programme brought together grassroot change-makers from across the country, exemplifying the spirit of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) in efforts related to river rejuvenation, drinking water and sanitation.

Samvaad with WaSH Warriors, Community Representatives and School Students

The programme began with an interactive Samvaad session, during which WaSH Warriors, community representatives and school students from various States shared their on-ground experiences and initiatives. Participants highlighted their efforts in spreading awareness in villages and schools on keeping the Ganga clean, avoiding plastic use, conserving biodiversity and protecting water sources.

They shared experiences of working closely with local communities on riverbank cleanliness drives, ecological monitoring, plantation, awareness campaigns, and promoting responsible environmental practices at the village level. Several participants spoke about the transformative impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission, noting how Har Ghar Jal has improved health, dignity and quality of life.

 

School students also shared their experiences, highlighting how they are contributing to river conservation and water awareness through school-led cleanliness drives, plantation activities, water-saving practices, rallies, creative programmes, and peer awareness initiatives. Students emphasised their role as change agents in spreading the message of clean rivers and responsible water use within their families and communities. Recognizing the role of young children, Minister mentioned that they are the future of our nation and are going to play a very critical role in country’s progress in the years to come.
 

 

Inauguration of 25 JALAJ Livelihood Centres

During the programme, the Minister inaugurated 25 JALAJ Livelihood Centres, a joint initiative of the Namami Gange Mission and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), aimed at integrating river conservation with sustainable livelihoods in the Ganga river basin. The initiative promotes community ownership of conservation efforts while creating dignified livelihood opportunities, with a special focus on women’s participation.

 

 

Launch of Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna

The Minister launched the Eco Roots Foundation’s educational outreach programme and the “Youth for Ganga – Youth for Yamuna” project. This initiative focuses on engaging the youth—our future—in river conservation efforts. He expressed his happiness that students, teachers, and principals from schools in Delhi participated in the launch. The campaign is set to expand to schools across Delhi-NCR, aiming to connect students with the Ganga and Yamuna rivers emotionally, culturally, and environmentally, fostering awareness and active participation in river conservation.

Addressing the gathering, Shri C.R. Paatil extended his best wishes to all Jal Praharis for their continuous and dedicated contribution in the fields of water conservation, cleanliness and Ganga rejuvenation, and commended their sustained efforts at the grassroots level. He emphasised that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Jal Prahari initiative is strengthening the spirit of public participation (Jan Bhagidari), with community members leading this national movement with commitment, diligence and consistency.

The Minister further expressed pride in the active participation of school students, women and members of the Yamuna Task Force, acknowledging their devotion and dedication to this mass movement for water conservation and cleanliness, and highlighted their role in spreading awareness and encouraging responsible environmental practices at the community level.

 

The Minister also acknowledged the sustained efforts of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), stating that focused and continuous interventions have contributed to improving the cleanliness and ecological health of the Ganga.

The event reaffirmed the importance of community and youth participation in achieving national goals related to river rejuvenation, drinking water and sanitation. By interacting with and felicitating Water/WASH Warriors, Community Representatives, Ganga Praharis and school students, the Minister recognised their contribution and reinforced the central role of people’s participation in national development efforts.

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