Jal Jeevan Mission urgent need of hour: RK Ranjan
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 23 2022:
Various institutions, government departments and organisations including Manipur University, Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), CAU, etc., observed World Water Day on Tuesday.
Union minister of state for education and external affairs Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh has observed that Jal Jeevan Mission initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an urgent need of the hour.
MU Department of Zoology and Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) observed World Water Day under the theme 'Understanding the Water Crisis in Manipur' at the department.
Speaking as chief guest via online mode, Dr RK Ranjan explained that the earth is called a blue planet as it is composed of 75 per cent water, but out of these only 1 per cent of water can be used for consumption.
Further stating that Manipur's water crisis is not an exception, he said PM Modi's Jal Jeevan Mission seeks to provide clean tap water to every house by 2024 .
The programme was presided over by MU School of Life Sciences dean Prof R Varatharajan with former vice chancellor in-charge Prof Amar Yumnam, CSIR-NEIST senior principal scientist Dr H Birkumar Singh, MU Department of Zoology HoD Prof N Mohilal Meitei and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU-RCM), Makhan's Dr Homen Thangjam present as guests of honour.
MU Department of Environment and Forest assistant professor Dr Wazir Alam, Manipur Pollution Control Board environmental engineer Dr W Roshan and AIMS advisor Thokchom Thoiba also attended the event as resource persons.
The dignitaries as well as the resource persons recommended that in spite of being one of the wettest places in the world, water is still a problem in Manipur as rain water harvesting technology, water budgeting and policy in Manipur are lacking.
Meanwhile, as part of the observance Education Enhancement Organisation (EEO) Lamding, VWSC Lamding and ISA Thoubal District under the aegis of District Water and Sanitation Committee Thoubal and Public Health Engineering Department Thoubal organised a District Level Open Marathon Race and tree sapling plantation at Lamding.
The marathon held under the theme 'Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible' started from Sora and ended at EEO ground, Lamding with Kh Manja of Heirok winning the first position in men's category, followed by Md Shahidur Rahaman of Lilong and Naorem To-kiyo of Laiphrakpam in second and third place respectively.
In women's category, Khumanthem Anjana of Heirok won the first position, Elangbam Thoicha of Khangabok won the second position and Ningthoujam Diviya of Heirok won the third position.
The first, second and third position winners along with fourth position holder in men's category were awarded Rs 10,000, Rs 8000, Rs 5000 and Rs 1000 respectively.
The top three winners in women's category as well as fourth place finisher were awarded Rs 6000, Rs 5000, Rs 4000 and Rs 1000 respectively.
Similarly, a motor cycle rally was flagged off by additional deputy commissioner Churachandpur Khaikhopau Ngaihte to highlight importance of water and raise awareness on the issue of water on the occasion of World Water Day observance held under the theme - "Groundwater, making the invisible visible" from near Lanva river bank to Tuibong Peace ground.
The event jointly organised by PHED Churachandpur, GSF and SAHEI Foundation also saw tree plantation and cleanliness drive at water sources at Patlien and Loklai rivers and Village Water and Sanitation Committee meeting at Matejang village.
The programme was also attended by MSPDCL deputy general manager S Tuangkhanson and PHED Churachandpur EE John Thanglenmang Singson.
On the other hand, District Water and Sanitation Committee, Public Health Engineering Department in collaboration with Kongba Maru Laiphamlel Apunba Semgat Lup (KMLASL) observed World Water Day on Tuesday.
The observance was attended by Waiton Gram Panchayat pradhan Pukhrambam Surbala as chief guest, KMLASL office bearer Luwangcha Ningthemjao as president and section officer Govind as guest of honour, while ISA Imphal East PHE Division team leader Keithellakpam Baleshor was present as resource person.
Central Agricultural University (CAU) College of Agriculture and College of Food Technology also observed World Water Day in their respective college premises on Tuesday.
The observance held as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrating nation 75 years of independence by College of Agriculture was attended by College's dean Prof Indira Sarangthem and Department of Extension Education head Prof Dr Angad Prasad as presidium members.
The programme organised by College of Food Technology was also attended by its dean in-charge Dr Ng Joykumar, assistant professor Dr Th Gopeshwore and assistant registrar S Tomba.
An ex-tempore speech competition was conducted as part of the event which was participated by eight students.
The winners of the competition were awarded with cash prizes.
The attendees also took a pledge to work for preservation of sources of water.
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