Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday presided over the Namami Gange: Universities Connect event where an agreement was signed with 49 universities to promote water conservation in general and river rejuvenation in particular.

"The MoU aims to bring the student community to the forefront of the mass movement for creating a sustainable ecosystem of our rivers. Apart from seeking active public participation, the event will also be historical towards creating knowledge-based short-term programmes, training sessions, and fostering more research on the water sector," the Ministry of Jal Shakti said in a release.

Through this initiative, many higher educational institutions pledged their support towards the cause of river rejuvenation and water conservation and create holistic platforms for younger generations to become conscious participants in a sustainable ecosystem.

"Water is a crucial factor to sustain life. India’s cultural history saw water as the holiest source that sustains life in all forms, and over time that culture has eroded. We as a society have an immense responsibility to revive that culture," Shekhawat said.

 “The world is appreciating us and India has invested more than 240 billion dollars in the water sector but the challenge in front of us is also enormous and we must all play our part in contributing to conserving water and increasing water use efficiency,” he said, adding, “We are not the owners of our natural resources but only custodians and it is everyone’s duty to return to the future generation as we inherited from our forefathers.”

He reiterated the importance of the 5Ps espoused by PM Modi to make such programmes successful including political will, public spending, partnership, public participation and persuasion.

Image courtesy: PIB