Jal-Pujana at Ahmednagar, India

Sinchan Sahayoga, ahmednagar
Ahmednagar, India, 22 Mar 09

World Water Day 2009

Ahmednagar - 22 March 2009

The Institution of Engineers (India), Ahmednagar Local Centre in association with Sinchan Sahayog and other government organizations celebrated World Water Day on 22 March 2009 at CQA(V) Auditorium, Ahmednagar. Programmes like ‘JAL-PUJANA’ (water worship) with prayer to water of seven main rivers in the district, chanting of Jalasukta, water pledge to the participants, essay competition, presentations by eminent organisations were organized to mark the occasion. Shri A D Bharadwaj, Director General, National Water Development Agency, New Delhi graced the function as Chief Guest and delivered Key Note address on the theme ‘Transboundary Water- River linking projects in India’

Main function started with ‘Jalpujana’ of 7 Kalash with sacred water of seven rivers in the district namely Pravara, Mula, Adhala, Godavari, Seena, Kukadi and Ghod with a background of ‘Jalsukta’ mantras by Vedshastri Dattopant Pathak. The water was then sprinkled to Tulsi Plant-the holy plant in Indian culture.

‘Jalpujana’ was followed by introductory speech by Er Dilip Thigale, Executive Engineer. Chandramohan Hangekar, Superintending Engineer, Command Area Development Authority, Ahmednagar & Chairman of the Local Centre introduced the activities of IEI. A water pledge advocated by Sinchan Sahayog was taken in a group manner by all in the audience. The pledge contained the meaning that water is life, water is the bond between flora and fauna and we must be grateful to water. It also said that we will use every drop of water cooperatively.

A very senior and experinced veteran Engineer of Ahmednagar Shri Vithalrao Sose, who had paid contributions in the construction of many roads and dams was felicitated on behalf of IEI Ahmednagar Local Centre. Eminent engineers and officers/employees who built the Mula Dam during 1958 to 1969 were also felicitated on this occasion by presenting a memento as a token of appreciation for the services rendered by them. Prizes to the best three essays on Water and a consolation prize to the school and open categories were distributed. Guest of Honour Shri V G Sose narrated his experiences and highlighted relations of geographical conditions and the rainfall.

Presentations of various departments including SGREF’s College of Engineering, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), Action for Food Production (AFFPRO) were arranged. Dr B K Mukherjee, Principal, SGREF’s College of Engineering talked on role of NGOs in water conservation with different modes of water conservation and observed that increasing population is the main burden on water sharing. He was assisted by Prof. kharmale and Prof. Shirsath. Shri Kishor Telang from WOTR explained the works done by WOTR in the district. Shri Venkatesh Shete from AFFPRO explained the activities related to water conservation.

Shri A D Bharadwaj in his speech on ‘Sharing of Water Resources and River Linking Project – a Broad Review,’ described the water as life and added that water is a precious natural replenishable limited source and that it is a welfare index of modern society. He said that availability of water on the earth is same as it was available millions of years ago, however increasing population and economic activities are creating burden on water supply. Due to this reason, per capita availability of water as1656 CuM in 2007 would be 1340 CuM in year 2025 and 1140 CuM in year 2050. There is variation of rain in different parts of the country, ranging 100mm in Rajasthan while 11,000mm at Cherapunji. We have to utilize water for a whole year which we receive in only four months of rainy season.
In order to bridge the gap between demand and supply of water, short term and long term measures need to be adopted, Short term measures include rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge of ground water, desalinization of sea, effective water utilization, etc.

The long term measures include construction of medium and large size dams, transfer of water flow, interlinking of rivers, etc. He said River linking project has a long history which goes back in 19th century Periyar Project. Bhakra Project in Rajasthan and Sardar Sarovar Project benefiting Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are some major projects. National Perspective Plan in year 1980 had identified interlinking of rivers in i) Himalaya and ii) Peninsular. The government has established National Water Development Agency for checking feasibility of the projects.

The advantage of long term measures including inter linking of rivers is that additional irrigation would be made available in drought affected areas. Additional 33,000 MW additional Hydropower will be generated. Besides flood control, mitigation of drought, fisheries, salinity control, pollution control, etc. are some of the other advantages.

There are some apprehensions from the present beneficiaries and these will have to be satisfied. Consensus building measurements are required in order to implement this project effectively, he said.

Shri Bharadwaj put some water facts to the public such as, water is available on the earth in the quantity as was 20 lakh years ago, water regulates the earth’s temperature, and water is the only source that is found naturally on the Earth.

Dr Sudha Kankaria, Vice Chairperson of Sinchan Sahayog during vote of thanks emphasized the need of saving and conserving water at every walk of life.

N M Kandaswamy, Controller, CQA(V), Principal Dr B K Mukherjee, Shri Dilip Thigale, N M Tapase, P S Nirmal, Executive Engineers, Prof B N Shinde, Ecologist and large number of Engineering students, teachers, retired engineers and general public above 300 number attended the function.

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Report by..
Er Prakash Gandhi
Hon Secretary,
Institution of Engineers(India)
Ahmednagar Local Centre
Ahmednagar
Maharashtra, India

Contact: Chandramohan Hangekar