Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 22: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Centre celebrated World Water Day today on 22nd March, 2023 at Institutional Complex, Channi Himmat, Jammu by holding a seminar on the theme 'Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis', emphasizing the necessity of taking stern action to address the global water crisis. The seminar was attended by a large number of Engineers & Hydrologists from various departments, organizations and also senior engineers.
As we speak, "Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms and factories don't have the safe water and toilets they need. There is an urgent need to accelerate change - to go beyond business as usual to solve the impending crisis.
On this occasion, Mohinder Angurala, Sr. Hydrogeologist, Central Ground Water Board, J&K was the Chief Guest and whereas Prof. (Dr.) Bhawna Sharma, Chairman, IEI Jammu Centre presided over the function
At the outset, Prof. (Dr.) Bhawna Sharma, FIE introduced the theme of World Water Day to the audience. She said that the objective of the seminar is to raise awareness and inspire action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis, thereby achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Water and Sanitation for all by 2030. She emphasized that to accelerate change, we need more action. Each one of us has to contribute and make one's own action list. All of us can make a difference by changing the way we use, consume and manage water in our lives.
While speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Mohinder Angurala said everyone knows that 'Water is the elixir of life'. From drinking to cleaning and other things, life cannot sustain without it. While many people are privileged to have running water 24x7, there is a huge population around the globe that does not have access to any amount of water. According to UN, at present, one in four people (two billion people worldwide) - lack safe drinking water. Around 1.4 million people die annually and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene. As per the estimates by OECD, global water demand (in water withdrawals) would increase by 55% by 2050.Helauded the paper presenters and appreciated the efforts of the IEI Jammu Local Centre for organizing this event to create the awareness among masses including the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards depleting water resources. During the seminar, Er. Ajay Sharma, FIE; Er. P. K. Nanda, MIE; Er. B. L. Rawal, MIE; Er. Joy Ganjoo, AM Technologist; Er. Akash Dasgotra, AMIE & Er. Anil Kumar, AMIE also presented their papers on the theme of the World Water Day.
Er. Sachin Tickoo, MIE, Honorary Secretary conducted the proceedings of the event, while speaking on the occasion he said dysfunction throughout the water cycle undermines progress on all major global issues, from health to hunger, gender equality to jobs, education to industry, and disasters to peace. It is therefore imperative to accelerate the change in approach towards the solutions to the water and sanitation crisis for achieving the developmental goals of sustainable development. |
