Namami Gange ropes in students for water conservation

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the ‘Namami Gange: Universities Connect’ event where an agreement was signed with 49 universities to foster awareness among the youth on water conservation in general and river rejuvenation in particular. The MoU aims to bring the student community to the forefront of the mass movement for creating a sustainable ecosystem of our rivers. Apart from seeking active public participation, the initiative will be historical towards creating knowledge-based short-term programmes, training sessions, and fostering more research on the water sector.

Through the NMCG initiative, many higher educational institutions pledged their support towards the cause of river rejuvenation and water conservation and create holistic platforms for younger generations to become conscious participants towards a sustainable ecosystem. The theme of the event was ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat suggested organising debates and other competitions in the universities to spread awareness on importance of water conservation and river rejuvenation and urged the leading educators to strive to make their campuses green and water efficient.

Delivering the keynote address, G. Asok Kumar, Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), said, “It is the younger generations that will be bearing the brunt of the water scarcity and therefore it is most necessary to ignite them to start respecting water, which is ingrained in our traditional values.”