Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 24: The 20th edition of the Water Digest World Water Awards was held in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and experts to discuss and recognise excellence in the water sector.
The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting attended by CR Patil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti; Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti; Sumant Narain, Joint Secretary, National Water Mission; Dr Benno Böer, Programme Specialist, Natural Sciences, UNESCO; Umesh Kumar Sharma, Director, Water Digest; Anupama Madhok Sud, Director and Editor, Water Digest; and Dr Kunwarani Ritu Singh, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founder of Delhi Public Schools in Jammu, Nagbani, Katra, and Leh.
The awards marked two decades of recognising innovation, sustainability and leadership in water management, highlighting contributions from government bodies, private organisations and civil society groups.
A special session titled “Roots to Resilience: Women and Water”, organised jointly with UNEP, was held before the ceremony, focusing on the role of women in water conservation.
During the session, Dr Ritu Singh delivered a powerful address on India’s sacred traditions surrounding water and emphasized the historic role of women as custodians of these traditions.
The evening was led by Anupama Madhok Sud and Umesh Kumar Sharma.
In her welcome address, Sud reflected on the 20-year journey of Water Digest and its commitment to advancing knowledge and dialogue around water conservation and management.
AB Pandya, Editor-in-Chief of Water Digest, delivered the opening address, highlighting the technological innovations recognised this year and their potential to transform water management systems.
Dr Benno Böer of UNESCO delivered a special address emphasising that water is not merely a resource but a fundamental condition for human existence.
In his address, Raj Bhushan Choudhary linked water security with the vision of a developed India by 2047, while C R Patil stressed the need for water conservation and groundwater recharge, urging people to actively participate in conservation efforts.
Experts from institutions such as TERI and UNDP India were part of the jury panel that evaluated the awards.
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