New Delhi, Nov 18: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday urged citizens, institutions and governments to treat water as a sacred and finite national resource, as she conferred the sixth National Water Awards in the capital.
Highlighting rising pressure on India’s limited freshwater reserves, Murmu said sustainable management and community participation were vital for long-term water security. Quoting the Rig Veda, she said, “apsu antah amritam” — there is immortality in water. “A person can survive a few days without food, but not without water. We are using a very valuable resource,” she said.
Congratulating the 46 awardees across 10 categories for their conservation and innovation efforts, the President stressed that climate change is disrupting the water cycle and intensifying demand on limited resources. She called for preserving groundwater, promoting a circular water economy, and strengthening reuse and recycling in industries.
Murmu cited the Jal Jeevan Mission as a major transformation in the water landscape, noting that tap water coverage has risen from less than 17% of households in 2019 to 81% today, significantly benefiting women by reducing the burden of fetching water.
However, she emphasised that increased supply must be matched with responsible use. Comparing water to financial savings, she said communities must “deposit before withdrawing” by recharging local sources.
“Families who use water wisely are safe from economic problems. Communities that use water wisely will always be safe from shortages,” she said, urging lifelong water stewardship rooted in India’s cultural heritage.
Maharashtra won the Best State award, followed by Gujarat and Haryana, while top district honours went to Rajnandgaon, Khargone, Mirzapur, Tirunelveli and Sepahijala. Instituted in 2018, the awards aim to promote best practices and encourage efforts toward a Jal Samriddh Bharat. (Agencies)
