aboobacker
22nd March 2005, 09:54 AM
Following is the text of the speech delivered by Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, Minister for Water Resources on the occasion of pre-function press conference as regards World Water Day being celebrated on Marh22, 2005.
"The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 22nd December 1992 by which 22nd March of each year was declared World Day for Water to be observed starting in 1993.
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed in its resolution in December 2003 that 2005-2015 will be International Decade for Action " Water for Life". As per the UN release, the decades sets the world’s goal on a greater focus on water related issues, while striving to ensure the participation of women in water related development efforts, and further cooperation at all levels to achieve water related goals.
In India, World Water Day being observed on 22nd March every year along with the curtain raiser function of Water Resources Day. In view of the importance of the occasion, the theme and also the thrust given to water sector in the National Common Minimum Programme of the Government of India, World Water Day 2005 is being observed at various places throughout the country. The national function would be organised at New Delhi on 22nd March 2005 in Association with various Ministries, Departments, Non-governmental organisations working in water resources sector and the United Nations System. World Water Day will also be observed at the state capitals all over the country.
Creation of Mass Awareness
The objective of the function is to create maximum public awareness on water related issues keeping in view the theme of the International Decade for Action i. e. " Water for Life". Creation of awareness in respect of conservation, preservation, harvesting and recharge of water is one of the major concerns. This is one case where " More is less".
Media’s Role
Media can support this effect in a big way and for this purpose, Ministry has proposed institution of two awards; one for the print media and one for the electronic media. For (1) Print Media: the best research story of the year which created maximum public impact; (2) Electronic Media: visually thought provoking documentary (docu-feature) which had maximum public impact. These two awards will be given every year on the occasion of World Water Day and will include cash component of Rs, 50,000, a special trophy and a citation. The assessment period will be calendar year i.e. January to December. For the World Water Day, 2006 the assessment period will be now on till December 2005. A Jury including known media, water and public communication expert twill decide the winners.
Participation of Younger people
With a view to create awareness among younger people, particularly the students, the Ministry is set to engage participation of the younger minds particularly the students of IITs and other engineering colleges in understanding the problems in water sector and coming out with solutions. The students’ would be asked to participate in an essay competition leading to the World Water Day on topics most relevant to Indian conditions. The top three entries will be included in the publication to be released on the coming World Water Day. The three winners of the competition will receive the award on the lines of the one announced for media. The award will include Rupees 25000 in cash, a citation and a specially designed trophy. This will essential be research-based essays. Once again, the jury will include well known water experts, educationists of repute and eminent public figures. The whole idea of above two schemes is that we should create as much awareness as possible not only in the general public but also among the future leaders of younger community.
Principle of 4 Ps-Public Private Partnership
For the success of any scheme, particularly those relating to water resources, the participation of the people and all stakeholders is important and full benefits of the scheme can be derived only if the principle of 4Ps i.e-public private people partnership is followed. The Ministry of water resources advocates the importance of participatory approach in water resources development and management and has already taken initiatives in the direction of implementation of the principle of 4 Ps."
RJ/AKS/RS
Credits: Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India.
"The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 22nd December 1992 by which 22nd March of each year was declared World Day for Water to be observed starting in 1993.
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed in its resolution in December 2003 that 2005-2015 will be International Decade for Action " Water for Life". As per the UN release, the decades sets the world’s goal on a greater focus on water related issues, while striving to ensure the participation of women in water related development efforts, and further cooperation at all levels to achieve water related goals.
In India, World Water Day being observed on 22nd March every year along with the curtain raiser function of Water Resources Day. In view of the importance of the occasion, the theme and also the thrust given to water sector in the National Common Minimum Programme of the Government of India, World Water Day 2005 is being observed at various places throughout the country. The national function would be organised at New Delhi on 22nd March 2005 in Association with various Ministries, Departments, Non-governmental organisations working in water resources sector and the United Nations System. World Water Day will also be observed at the state capitals all over the country.
Creation of Mass Awareness
The objective of the function is to create maximum public awareness on water related issues keeping in view the theme of the International Decade for Action i. e. " Water for Life". Creation of awareness in respect of conservation, preservation, harvesting and recharge of water is one of the major concerns. This is one case where " More is less".
Media’s Role
Media can support this effect in a big way and for this purpose, Ministry has proposed institution of two awards; one for the print media and one for the electronic media. For (1) Print Media: the best research story of the year which created maximum public impact; (2) Electronic Media: visually thought provoking documentary (docu-feature) which had maximum public impact. These two awards will be given every year on the occasion of World Water Day and will include cash component of Rs, 50,000, a special trophy and a citation. The assessment period will be calendar year i.e. January to December. For the World Water Day, 2006 the assessment period will be now on till December 2005. A Jury including known media, water and public communication expert twill decide the winners.
Participation of Younger people
With a view to create awareness among younger people, particularly the students, the Ministry is set to engage participation of the younger minds particularly the students of IITs and other engineering colleges in understanding the problems in water sector and coming out with solutions. The students’ would be asked to participate in an essay competition leading to the World Water Day on topics most relevant to Indian conditions. The top three entries will be included in the publication to be released on the coming World Water Day. The three winners of the competition will receive the award on the lines of the one announced for media. The award will include Rupees 25000 in cash, a citation and a specially designed trophy. This will essential be research-based essays. Once again, the jury will include well known water experts, educationists of repute and eminent public figures. The whole idea of above two schemes is that we should create as much awareness as possible not only in the general public but also among the future leaders of younger community.
Principle of 4 Ps-Public Private Partnership
For the success of any scheme, particularly those relating to water resources, the participation of the people and all stakeholders is important and full benefits of the scheme can be derived only if the principle of 4Ps i.e-public private people partnership is followed. The Ministry of water resources advocates the importance of participatory approach in water resources development and management and has already taken initiatives in the direction of implementation of the principle of 4 Ps."
RJ/AKS/RS
Credits: Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India.