PM Modi pitches for water campaign

With several parts of the country reeling under severe drought, a concerned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for water conservation through a mass movement, even as he expressed optimism on an above normal monsoon, which is predicted to bring up to 110 per cent of normal rainfall this season.

In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he also talked about efforts to clean the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, hoping that these would show results in some time. Among several other issues, he dwelt on education, emphasising that the focus should now shift from enrolment to providing quality education.

During his 30-minute broadcast, Mr Modi also expressed gratitude to one crore households which gave up LPG subsidy in response to his call and exhorted the media to highlight positive news.

Talking about the drought situation in various parts of India, he said concern over it is natural, particularly since prolonged drought leads to a drop in water levels in reservoirs. “To fight drought and water scarcity, the governments will do their work,” he said.

But I have seen people also make their own efforts. In several villages an awareness has been seen with regard to the value of water and there is sensitivity and a will to do something to conserve,” he said. “Can we run a movement from village to village to preserve water ... To whatever extent possible, we must save water,” he added.

He referred to the forecast that the country will receive 106 per cent to 110 per cent rainfall this monsoon and said such good news always brings peace. “But this news brings new awareness also... While the news about good rainfall brings comfort, it also provides an opportunity and a challenge. Can we run a movement from village to village to preserve water ... To whatever extent possible, we must save water. The rainwater should be preserved. The water of a village should remain in the village. If we resolve to do this, it is possible through a mass campaign. So even though we have a water crisis now, we have one and a half months to prepare (before the onset of the monsoon),” he said.