President Droupadi Murmu presents National Water Awards

New Delhi, Nov 18: President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the sixth National Water Awards and the Jal Sanchay–Jan Bhagidari Awards at a ceremony held in the capital on Tuesday.

She highlighted that effective water management is possible only with the participation of individuals, families, society, and the government.

President said that human civilisation has always flourished around rivers and water sources, and India’s cultural traditions continue to revere water.

Referring to the national song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, she noted that the first word, Sujalam, reflects India’s aspiration for abundant water resources.

President Murmu stressed that efficient water use is a global necessity, and even more vital for India due to its limited water resources and growing population.

She pointed out that climate change is impacting the water cycle, making coordinated action by both government and citizens essential for water security.

She expressed satisfaction that under the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari initiative, launched last year, over 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures have already been built across the country.

Highlighting the role of industries, the President encouraged the adoption of circular water economy systems, water treatment, recirculation, and zero-liquid-discharge practices.

She said such efforts contribute significantly to water conservation.

The President emphasised the need for water conservation at every level, from central and state governments to panchayats, municipal bodies, educational institutions, farmers, entrepreneurs, and citizen groups.

She called on farmers and businesses to use innovative methods to increase productivity while reducing water consumption.

“Water is a valuable asset,” she said, urging citizens to learn from tribal communities who treat natural resources with respect.

She added that water efficiency must become a way of life and that public awareness is critical for long-term conservation efforts.

The National Water Awards aim to promote awareness on best water-use practices, while the Jal Sanchay–Jan Bhagidari initiative is creating scalable models for groundwater recharge through community participation and resource convergence.