Securing Our Future Through Water Conservation with Public Participation: CM Sai

Raipur, October 09

“If there is water, there is a tomorrow, and water will shape the future. We must all work together for water conservation, only then can we secure our future.”
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said this while addressing a workshop on the subject of water conservation and water augmentation, organized under ‘Sujalam Bharat’ at Omaya Garden in the capital, Raipur. On this occasion, he offered water to the Jal Kalash (water urn), sending a message of water harvesting.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern about the water crisis on many occasions. The lack of awareness among the public towards water conservation can deepen this crisis. He said that people across the state are making efforts for water harvesting in their own ways, and through such platforms, everyone will be able to share their experiences, which will eventually prove decisive in policy making.
Referring to his visit to Rajnandgaon, Chief Minister Shri Sai mentioned that a woman Sarpanch (village head) voluntarily undertook the work of reviving dried-up handpumps. Her innovative effort was also appreciated by the Central Government, and financial assistance was provided to carry forward this virtuous initiative.
The Chief Minister said that such examples inspire us. We must all collectively turn water conservation into a mass movement so that our future can be secured. He said that the suggestions and inputs received from this symposium will be extremely helpful in the creation of future action plans.
Chief Minister Offers Water from Kelo River, Giving the Message of Irrigating the Earth
At the start of the program, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai offered the holy water of the Kelo River into the urn, which was established as a symbol of the Earth, and gave a message of water conservation and harvesting. He said that “Water is life” and our sacred rivers nourish the Earth, making it life-giving. Our culture, civilization, and the identity of our existence are linked to these rivers.
The Chief Minister said that the rivers of Chhattisgarh—Mahanadi, Indravati, Shivnath, Kelo, and others—are the lifelines of the state. These rivers not only make the Earth fertile but also provide vitality to agriculture, industry, and every sector of life. He said that offering the water of the Kelo River into the urn symbolizing the Earth is a symbol that we should respect every drop of water and preserve it for the coming generations.
Chief Minister Shri Sai called upon the public representatives, officials, and citizens present to make this resolve for water conservation a part of their daily routine so that the land of Chhattisgarh always flourishes with greenery and prosperity.
Shri Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, Secretary of the Water Resources Department, gave information about the program, stating that the program has been conceptualized under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Various departments have been instructed to organize seminars on one theme each. Under this, this seminar is being organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on the subject of water harvesting. He said that today, more than 300 people who are working in the field of water conservation have registered. The government has placed water conservation on its highest priority. In the last one year, District Collectors and concerned departments have made significant contributions to water harvesting. So far, three and a half lakh structures have been built, as a result of which a notable increase in the groundwater level has been recorded.
The event was attended by Padma Shri Smt. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, Secretary of Urban Administration Department Dr. Basavaraju S., Secretary of Public Health Engineering Department Mohammad Kaissar Abdul Haq, and a large number of dignitaries.