President Droupadi Murmu highlighted a remarkable shift in India's rural infrastructure, noting that 82 per cent of rural households now have access to tap water. Speaking at the Jal Mahotsav programme on Wednesday, she contrasted this with the mere 17 pc coverage recorded in 2019 at the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission, offering her congratulations to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and his team for the rapid progress.
The President spoke about the cultural weight of water in India, describing it as far more than a basic utility. She observed that it is part of the nation’s traditions and way of life. She mentioned the national anthem "Vande Mataram," which is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary and begins with the word "Sujalam," which is an eulogy to water in abundance. For the President, water is not merely a resource; it is a revered heritage and a life-giving elixir.
In terms of its impact and its effect on people’s lives, she observed that in many rural areas, women and children used to have to search for water over long distances. Now, with water being supplied directly to people’s homes in a clean and safe condition, it is a measure of the mission’s success. She gave credit to modern technology for its role in making water governance more transparent and accountable through Sujalam Bharat and Meri Panchayat apps.
She also took the opportunity to praise the unsung heroes of the industry, marking World Plumbing Day by thanking the technicians and plumbers who keep the nation's sanitation systems running.
In the end, the message that the President was trying to convey to the American public was that of shared responsibility. The President encouraged the American public to look at water conservation as a responsibility to the next generation and told the audience that if there is water, there is a future.
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