President Droupadi Murmu started the “Catch the Rain 2023” campaign on March 4, 2023, in New Delhi. The goal of the campaign is to get people to save water and deal with the lack of water in the country. The goal of the campaign is to find sources of drinking water that will last for a long time.
During the launch event, the President highlighted the importance of water conservation and management, stating that it is the most crucial issue for India. She pointed out that only four percent of the water resources are available in the country, and traditional water conservation methods have disappeared due to unplanned urbanization. As a result, the world faces water scarcity and global warming challenges.
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The President underlined the need to restore and manage traditional water conservation methods while adopting new technologies to address these challenges. She emphasized the importance of community participation in the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain 2023 campaign and urged people to unite and take measures to conserve water.
Recognizing the vital role of women in water conservation and sanitation, President Murmu conferred the ‘Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman 2023’ under various categories of the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen, Jal Jeevan Mission, and National Water Mission. The awards were given to acknowledge women’s leadership and contribution at the grassroots level in the journey toward making a Swachh Sujal Bharat.
The ‘Swachh Sujal Shakti Ki Abhivyakti’ compendium was also released. It is a collection of case stories from the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen, Jal Jeevan Mission, and National Water Mission that highlights the impact of women’s leadership and involvement in water conservation and management.
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat spoke at the event and stated that India had achieved a pathbreaking success under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain. He also mentioned the Amrit Kaal, which is a true revolution in the field of water and has strengthened the vision of water conservation.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2023 campaign has several components, including water conservation measures in urban and rural areas and promoting traditional water conservation practices. The campaign aims to incentivize water conservation by providing financial incentives and promoting community participation in water conservation activities.
The campaign’s first phase will run from March to May 2023, and the second phase will run from October 2023 to March 2024. The first phase will focus on preparing for the upcoming monsoon season by creating awareness about the importance of rainwater harvesting and promoting water conservation measures in both urban and rural areas.
The second phase will focus on implementing water conservation measures and promoting traditional water conservation practices such as johads, khadins, and nadis. The campaign also aims to promote wastewater reuse and reduce water wastage.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2023 campaign is a collaborative effort between the central government, state governments, and local communities. It aims to create a mass movement for water conservation and management and address the country’s water scarcity issue.
Water scarcity is a significant challenge in India, and the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain 2023 campaign is a much-needed initiative to address this issue. The campaign’s focus on community participation, traditional water conservation practices, and promotion of new technologies is a comprehensive approach towards water conservation and management.
In her address, President Murmu also highlighted the importance of the Jal Jeevan Mission in providing safe and potable water to every household in the country. She praised the mission for its success in providing tap water connections to over 7 crore rural households in just two and a half years and for contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring the availability of safe water for handwashing.
The President also expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the National Water Mission in promoting water conservation and sustainable management practices. She emphasized the importance of water security in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and urged all stakeholders to work together towards this goal.
The Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman was awarded to women from various parts of the country who have shown exemplary leadership in water conservation and sanitation. The categories under which the awards were given included Best Gram Panchayat, Best Block, Best District, Best State, Best NGO, and Best Media. The winners were selected based on their contribution to the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen, Jal Jeevan Mission, and National Water Mission.
The President also launched a video on ‘Jal Shakti se Nari Shakti,’ highlighting women’s contribution to water conservation and management. The video showcases inspiring stories of women from different parts of the country who have taken the lead in water conservation initiatives.
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who also spoke at the event, praised the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in achieving pathbreaking success under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain. He emphasized the need to adopt a holistic and integrated approach to water management and urged all stakeholders to work towards making India a water-secure nation.
Overall, the launch of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain 2023 campaign and the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman presentation were necessary steps toward raising awareness about the importance of water conservation and sustainable management practices. The recognition of the leadership and contribution of women in water conservation and sanitation is also a positive step towards achieving gender equality and empowering women to take a more active role in managing water resources.
