Gajendra pitches for productive use of wetlands
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 11 2022: While announcing that the Gover-nment has been working relentlessly to provide clean water facility to every household by 2024, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has laid emphasis on the need to conserve and utilise the available wetlands in a productive way to raise the income of farmers.

The Minister also opined that India will become a leading Nation in terms of development if the students and younger generation educate themselves with a primary objective to contribute in Nation building.

He made the remarks while attending an interface programme held at City Convention Centre on the topic "Climate change and wetland based livelihood in NE region of India for achieving Sustainable Development Goals" .

Gajendra pitches for productive use of wetlands

The programme organised by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal was attended by students of CAU, Manipur University (MU), Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) and National Institute of Technology, Imphal. At the function, Gajendra Singh continued that the country is currently on the path of transformation under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Saying that the youth of the Nation and students have been playing a central role in bringing about a positive change in the country, he expressed desire for the younger generation to contribute more.

"We will surely fulfil our dream of taking India to greater heights if the youth and students are committed and perform their duties responsibly," he added.

Maintaining that India is a diverse Nation which is home to different communities, religions, culture and languages among others, Gajendra Singh stated that holding a cultural exchange programme among the Universities helps in National integration.

He also claimed that the people of Manipur played a big role in the freedom struggle of India and their contribution will always be remembered.

India didn't get her independence easily, Gajendra maintained and stressed on the need to analyse the dream "our freedom fighters" had for the new India.

He continued that the day India got her independence was a significant event for the whole world.

Lauding the developmental initiative taken up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said that the Clean India Campaign was launched to meet the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

India will also become an Open Defecation Free (ODF) Nation in the near future, he added.

Earlier, 60 per cent of the Indian population didn't have access to sanitary latrine, the Union Minister said and added that the Government is working relentlessly to provide clean water to every household by 2024 .

Gajendra Singh also spoke highly of the initiative taken up by India during the peak of Covid pandemic, stating that the Government provided free ration, introduced Covid vaccination drive and supplied vaccine to other countries.

He said that the system of the Cowin portal was imitated by other Nations.

The Union Minister continued that he was elated to interact with students of different institutes and share ideas.

Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai and faculty members of CAU, MU, DMU and NIT also attended the programme.

Gajendra Singh also attended the 82nd annual conference of Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE) organised by CAU, Imphal at its auditorium .

The three day conference will conclude tomorrow (November 12) .

There, the Union Minister appealed to all scientists to develop technology which will benefit the farmers.

Saying that agriculture plays a major role in developing a Nation, he lauded CAU and ISAE for holding the programme.

On climate change, Gajendra said that "we must protect our environment for the future generations to survive" .

He continued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving emphasis on development of North East States.

Water Resources Awangbow Newmai also attended the programme.

He said that the world is becoming warmer and the rainfall pattern has changed drastically due to rampant deforestation and other activities which are detrimental to environmental health.

President ISAE, Mumbai, Dr Dinesh Kumar Marothia; former VC of AAU, Jorhat (Assam), Dr K M BuJarbaruah; former Director of ICAR - NIAP & conference president ,Dr.Suresh Pal , secretary ISAE,Mumbai, Dr C L Dadhich; Director of Instruction, CAU Imphal & organising secretary, Dr S Basanta; Dean of College of Agriculture, CAU Iroisemba Prof Indira Sarangthem and Vice Chancellor of CAU Imphal, Dr Anupam Mishra were also present.

A souvenir was also released during the function.