The Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the Namami Gange: Universities Connect event where an agreement was signed with 49 universities to foster awareness among the youth on water conservation and river rejuvenation.

The MoU aims to involve the student community in the mass movement for creating a sustainable ecosystem of India’s rivers. The event also aims to create short-term programs, training sessions, and foster more research on the water sector.

Many higher educational institutions pledged their support towards the cause of river rejuvenation and water conservation. The theme of the event was ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the importance of water management and the need to revive India’s cultural history of considering water as a holiest source that sustains life in all forms.

He suggested organizing debates and competitions in the universities to spread awareness on the importance of water conservation and river rejuvenation. The Union Minister also stressed the need for creating green and water-efficient campuses.

G. Asok Kumar, the DG of NMCG, said that it is necessary to ignite young generations to start respecting water, which was ingrained in India’s traditional values. He also urged academic institutions to take steps towards bringing back the respect for water among the young students in their institutions. He mentioned that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain: Where it Falls, When it Falls campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Water Day 2021 is a noble way of nudging people to conserve more water.

Namami Gange has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the top ten World Restoration Flagships, and India also participated in the UN World Water Conference 2023 organized at the UN Headquarters in New York. The focus is now on the tributaries of the River Ganga.