President of India Droupadi Murmu addressed the Jal Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi, stressing that water conservation must become an integral part of daily life to secure the nation’s future.
She said water in India is deeply connected to culture, traditions, livelihood, and community life. Villagers, especially women and children, once struggled to fetch drinking water from long distances. The Jal Jeevan Mission has now ensured clean water access in homes, transforming lives.
The President emphasised that conservation becomes more effective when society shares responsibility with the government. She highlighted the importance of community ownership, noting that initiatives like Jal Arpan Diwas, which hands over water supply infrastructure to gram panchayats, strengthen this ownership.
Murmu praised the role of Self-Help Groups in water testing, operations, and maintenance, saying their dedication has brought positive change, especially for women. She expressed confidence that harnessing women’s potential through SHGs will be crucial for water security.
She also noted that greywater management is being promoted in rural areas under the Clean India Mission, while groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting are being advanced through campaigns like Catch the Rain and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari.
The President concluded by calling water a priceless asset for future generations. She urged the younger generation to embrace awareness and responsibility, expressing confidence that Jal Mahotsav will evolve into a mass movement for India’s water security.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising Jal Mahotsav 2026 from March 8 to March 22 as a nationwide campaign to strengthen community participation in rural drinking water service delivery.
