Page 46 - Mann Ki Baat English(MAY-2023)
P. 46

Water Conservation

                              India’s Youth Leading the Solution





           Without water, everything         Water  scarcity  poses a
        is a void. Without water, life    significant  challenge  globally,
        is always in crisis. Without      and India is no exception. As the
        water, the development of an      population burgeons, industries
        individual as well as the nation   expand, and climate change
        comes to a standstill. Looking at
                                          takes its toll, the demand for
        this future challenge, the youth
        of this nation are engaged        water is surging exponentially.
        in the mission of making the      However, amidst this scenario,                 sustainable water management.     Government     has     started
        society aware about water         the  youth of  India  has  risen               Over the past nine years, the     various initiatives. Jal Shakti
        conservation.
                                          as a powerful force, leading                   Government    has   played  a     Abhiyan   (JSA)  promotes   a
        -Prime Minister Narendra Modi     the   charge   in   preserving                 crucial role in organising various   comprehensive    approach
            (in 'Mann ki Baat' address)   this precious resource for a                   awareness campaigns, clean-       to  water   conservation  and
                                          sustainable future.                            up drives, educational programs,   management     with    active
                                             The youth of India have                     and workshops. These initiatives   community       participation.
                                          embraced their role in water                   aim to promote water-saving       Through the ‘Catch the Rain’
                                          conservation with unwavering                   practices and instill a sense of   campaign, under JSA, rainwater
                                          enthusiasm and determination.                  responsibility  towards  water    harvesting     has     gained
                                          They understand the significance               conservation in every stratum of   momentum across States. Under
                                          of every drop and actively                     society.                          the ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar’, the
                                          generate   awareness    within                     The  impact  of  these  efforts   goal of revitalising 50,000 water
         “I firmly believe that platforms   their  communities.  Through                 is evident as citizens, particularly   bodies by August 15, 2023, has
         like the Prime Minister's 'Mann   their active involvement, they                the youth, have responded         already been surpassed, thanks
         ki Baat' through mediums         educate and inspire others to                  wholeheartedly.   They   have     to the active involvement of
         like radio serve not only as     adopt water-saving practices                   come forward with innovative      citizens, particularly the youth,
         a means of communication                                                        start-ups,       organisations,   who played a crucial role in
                                          and understand the importance
         but also as a platform for
                                          of  preserving  this  precious                 and community-led  projects       achieving this milestone ahead
         the voices and thoughts of
         the people of this country       resource.                                      focused on water management       of schedule. Furthermore, the
         and the world. This style of        Recognising  water  as a                    and    rainwater   harvesting.    Government is also driving
         governance by the Prime          scarce and valuable resource,                  These   collective  endeavours    grassroots  changes   through
         Minister not only connects       communities from across the                    reflect  the  determination  and   programmes         promoting
         him with the people but                                                         commitment of the youth and       behavioural change and citizen
                                          nation have also joined hands
         also makes him an effective                                                     communities  in safeguarding      empowerment.  Initiatives  like
         leader with a significant        in water conservation initiatives.             water resources for present and   ‘Per  Drop  More  Crop’  enhance
         impact.”                         They have realised the need
                                                                                         future generations.               water  efficiency  in  agriculture,
                  -Anil Prakash Joshi,    to act collectively and have
                     Environmentalist                                                        To harness the collective     while Atal Bhujal Yojana fosters
                                          taken proactive steps towards
                                                                                         power of India’s citizens, the    community-led     groundwater
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