Page 13 - Namami gange 31st edition-16 printing

Viksit Bharat and it is our collective
responsibility. It was endearing to
see that so states participated in the
event and made presentations on
their plans for water related issues.”
He added that water availability is
the basis of making Vision@2027
target a success and it is our firm
belief that requirement of water is
directly proportional to the growth
of the economy.

He also said that caution has
to be exercised in ensuring that
our programmes on rivers do
not get limited to infrastructure
development but we must try
and establish a robust people-
river connect. “It is necessary
to reestablish the respect for
water, which went down from
generation-to-generation as part
of the traditional wisdom of our
forefathers,” he said, adding, “It is
time that we generate that sentiment
in the younger generation by using
social media, which is a powerful
tool in the times we live.”

He added that the Ministry of Jal
Shakti is working holistically for added. Kumar said that the Hon’ble Prime
providing safe drinking water to Minister mentioned during the
every household, groundwater Delivering the opening address, meeting how rivers are extremely
management and recharge, aquifer Mr. G. Asok Kumar, DG, NMCG important vehicles for economic
mapping, river rejuvenation and welcomed the guests and said that growth and emphasized the direct
India is among the countries Namami Gange Programme was connection between clean rivers
with one of the biggest financial launched to rejuvenate River Ganga and the country’s GDP and growth.
allocation to the water sector. “We and its tributaries. He said that water “The Hon’ble PM espoused the
have to move ahead with a firm was hardly a priority for municipal concept of Arth Ganga in the
resolution and we will certainly commissioners but under Namami first NGC meeting to focus on
achieve our targets,” he said. Gange Programme, they were improving the lives of the people
urged to bring water into their main living on the banks of the river
He expressed his happiness over the agenda and we have been successful basins. The contribution of the
trajectory of increasing members in doing that. “Namami Gange Hon’ble Prime Minister in bringing
of River-Cities Alliance from 23 to has been selected as one of the back the respect for water is very
107. Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat world’s top 10 flagship programmes important”.
said that under the leadership of the from over 160 countries which
Hon’ble Prime Minister, water as a is a testament of the success of Mr. Kumar expressed his happiness
sector is raising above the silos. “If Namami Gange Programme.” on the fact that the members of the
every city (107) which is the member River Cities Alliance have crossed
of the RCA will take a step forward, Talking about the 2nd National the 100 mark and the urban water
we will take 107 steps forward and Ganga Council meeting that took issues are now being address in
that is the need-of-the-hour,” he place on 30th December 2022, Mr. totality. “Water has always been

11