Water Digest in organised a one-day Conclave 2022 “Swachh Jal Swachh Bharat Conclave: A conversation on Water Conservation: Talking Blue” on July 27, 2022 at Hotel Shangi-La, New Delhi.

It was supported by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India and AMRUT. Key partners for the conclave were National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation Limited, Government of Odisha and WAPCOS Limited and product displayed by Swan Environmental Pvt. Ltd. and Pure N Safe Pvt. Ltd.

The conclave received an overwhelming response from professionals and leaders connected with the water sector from all across the India.

Like all Water Digest events, the focus was on sharing ideas, best practices and coming up with substantial opinions and critical assessment of the condition of water today. The event took forward a concrete debate on changing mindsets and most importantly, implementing the outcomes of discussions and debates.

The inaugural session set the tone of the conclave. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Jal Shakti was the Chief Guest. Among the key dignitaries present were Ms. Anu Garg, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Government of Odisha, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra (IAS) Former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, Director and Editor, Water Digest and Mr. Umesh Kumar Sharma, Director, Water Digest.

The welcome address was given by Ms Anupama Madhok Sud, Director and Editor, Water Digest, in her welcome address, she extended a warm welcome to the esteemed dignitaries and audience. She also briefed about the objective of the conclave and the need for creating such a platform to discuss the critical issues in the water sector. This was followed by the opening address given by Shri A.B. Pandya, Editor-in-Chief, Water Digest and Secretary- General-ICID and special address by Ms. Anu Garg, IAS Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Government of Odisha, keynote address to set the overall conclave given by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra (IAS) Former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga.

The daylong conclave sessions revolved around the three themes across various topics (Nirmal Jal) Wastewater Management in India, (Anupam Jal)– Safe Drinking Water- Water for all and (Amrit Jal); Role of Groundwater in Watershed Management.

After the grand inaugural the morning session revolved around the theme of (Nirmal Jal) Wastewater Management in India. This session saw active participation of Government and industry representatives.

Shri G. Asok Kumar, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga shared his keynote address by video message.

The session was chaired by Shri A.B. Pandya, Editor-in-Chief, Water Digest and Secretary- General-ICID. He also spoke about the overall scenario of Wastewater Management followed by presentations and discussions by eminent speakers Dr. Pravin Kumar, Director (T-III), National Mission for Clean Ganga, Shri A.K Gupta, Additional Director at Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Mrs. Parul Goel, Sr. Process Expert, NJS Engineers India Pvt. Ltd. And Mr. Ch. Vijay Kumar, Managing Director, SWAN Environmental Private Limited.

The second session was on Anupam Jal: Safe Drinking Water: Water for all, special address delivered by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Mission Director, National Water Mission.

Keynote address presented by Shri Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation followed by a presentation and discussion by the eminent speakers Mr. Manish Wasuja, WASH Specialist, UNICEF Delhi, Mr. R.V. Singh, Senior Vice President, JWIL Infra Limited and Mr. Anil Bharti, Additional Chief Engineer, Delhi Jal Board. The session moderated by Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, Director & Editor, Water Digest.

Post lunch, the third session was on Amrit Jal: Role of Groundwater in Watershed Management and the last session was chaired by Shri Shashi Shekhar, Former Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, followed by other eminent speakers Shri Avinash Mishra, Adviser, NITI Aayog, Government of India, Dr. Dipankar Saha, Former Member, Central Ground Water Board, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Padhi (Engineer-in-Chief), Department of Water Resources, Govt. of Odisha and Dr. Satya Priya, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, World Bank and Mr. Pratul Saxena, Project Director, Atal Jeevan Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The session moderated by Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, Director & Editor, Water Digest.

The conclave ended on a positive note, with possible pathways for future water solutions and emerging possibilities being utilised to their full potential.

Water Digest plans to replicate this success across several states with more such conclaves and discussion platforms.