{"id":12455,"date":"2025-12-02T14:36:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T09:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=12455"},"modified":"2025-12-02T14:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T09:07:16","slug":"ddws-organises-first-multilingual-sujal-gram-samvad-villagers-share-stories-of-transformation-under-jjm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=12455","title":{"rendered":"DDWS Organises First Multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad; Villagers Share Stories of Transformation under JJM"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"text-center event-heading-background\">\n<h2 id=\"Titleh2\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>DDWS Organises First Multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad; Villagers Share Stories of Transformation under JJM<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong><br \/>\nA first-of-its-kind platform connecting Gram Panchayat headquarters villages, districts, States\/UTs, and DDWS through regional-language dialogue<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>People across the country listen to grassroots voices and experiences in their own languages<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"PrDateTime\" class=\"ReleaseDateSubHeaddateTime text-center pt20\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Posted On: 18 NOV 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pt20\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The inaugural\u00a0Sujal Gram Samvad, organised by the Department of Drinking Water &amp; Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti today, emerged as a national platform where villagers from across 12 States\/UTs narrated \u2013 in their own regional languages \u2013 their stories of struggle, determination, and transformation under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Village representatives described how access to safe tap water has improved health, reduced water-borne diseases, enabled girls to attend school regularly, freed women from hours of water collection, and strengthened livelihood opportunities. Communities narrated how they came together to repair motors and pipelines, ensure uninterrupted supply, conduct water quality testing, promote water conservation, support user-charge collection, and establish grievance redressal systems.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>These stories \u2013 shared with honesty and emotion in Odia, Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Mizo, Rajasthani, Manipuri, Telugu, Maghi and Bundelkhandi languages, were heard across the country by over 1,500 participants. More than 800 people joined in interactive mode, while an equal number connected via YouTube, making the Samvad a truly national listening platform.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image002M5EP.jpg\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Live interaction in Odia language between Secretary DDWS and representatives of\u00a0Belagam Village,\u00a0District &#8211; Ganjam, Odisha<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Stories From the Villages: Voices of Transformation<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Odisha \u2013 Belagam Village, District &#8211; Ganjam<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Samvad opened with\u00a0Belagam village, where villagers explained how user-fee collection, water quality testing, and community-level monitoring have strengthened daily water supply. The Secretary, DDWS interacted with them in\u00a0Odia, appreciating their community leadership and women\u2019s involvement.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Madhya Pradesh \u2013 Beohari Village, District &#8211; Seoni<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Villagers from\u00a0Beohari village\u00a0shared how they work collectively to keep motors functional, repair pipelines quickly, address electricity issues, and run awareness drives for saving water and preventing leakages. They spoke of healthier children and reduced drudgery for women.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rajasthan \u2013 Nirjharana Village, District &#8211; Dausa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Representatives from\u00a0Nirjharana village\u00a0narrated in\u00a0Rajasthani,\u00a0how JJM has changed their daily lives \u2013 bringing dignity, certainty, and better health.\u00a0Smt. Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary, NJJM, interacted with them in the local language, appreciating their traditional practices, water conservation measures, and community-led management of the water supply system.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Tamil Nadu \u2013 Alinjivakkam Village, District \u2013 Tiruvallur<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Villagers from\u00a0Alinjivakkam\u00a0spoke about how regular tap water supply has improved family health and reduced the need for women to walk long distances. The VWSC here works closely with the Anganwadi Centres (AWC) and ASHA workers to mobilise communities, promote safe water practices, and strengthen participation in the village water supply system.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Maharashtra \u2013 Sarola Village, District \u2013 Pune<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Sarola\u00a0villagers shared how tap connections have improved health, sanitation, and household routines. Women spoke of the time saved due to doorstep water availability and how this has opened opportunities for income generation and self-help group activities. They also spoke about water quality monitoring on a regular basis.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Mizoram \u2013 Khawruhliian Village, District \u2013 Aizwal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Interacting in Mizo, the villagers of\u00a0Khawruhliian\u00a0explained how their GP ensures O&amp;M of water supply schemes despite terrain challenges. They highlighted their practices for spring protection, pipeline repairs, and community monitoring to ensure uninterrupted service.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Punjab \u2013 Parcha Village, District \u2013 Gurdaspur<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Speaking in Punjabi, villagers from\u00a0Parcha\u00a0shared how consistent tap water supply has eased daily life and reduced the stress on women. They spoke about their regular water quality checks, plantation drives near water sources, and the strong role of women\u2019s groups in managing daily operations.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Gujarat \u2013 Takhatgadh Village, District \u2013 Sabarkantha<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Villagers shared that their user-charge collection system is firmly in place. The state team\u00a0 highlighted how PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) are supporting the Gram Panchayat in managing and strengthening the village water supply system.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Manipur \u2013 Lairenjam Village, District \u2013 Imphal West<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Speaking in Manipuri, representatives of\u00a0Lairenjam\u00a0village discussed how JJM has improved health, reduced drudgery, and provided dignity to women. They explained their practices in monitoring water quality, repairing pipelines, and mobilising community members.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Bihar \u2013 Kachariyadih Village, District \u2013 Nawada<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Representatives from\u00a0Kachariyadih\u00a0described how access to safe tap water has significantly reduced water-borne illnesses and improved the lives of children and mothers. They shared how their community works through the Panchayat to maintain water sources and promote water quality awareness.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Andhra Pradesh \u2013 Enamadala Village, District \u2013 Eluru<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Representatives from Enamadala village explained how the village regularly monitors water quality and conducts systematic testing through their well-equipped laboratory. They shared that prompt action is taken whenever leakages or supply-related issues arise, ensuring that households receive safe and uninterrupted drinking water.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Uttar Pradesh \u2013 Banka Pahari Village, District \u2013 Jhansi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The villagers describing their journey from water scarcity to reliable tap connections, spoke about the network of Jal Sahelis, who have been instrumental in mobilising the community, promoting water conservation, and monitoring supply systems.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Across all 12 States\/UTs, villagers broadly described how they monitor water quality, manage local assets, conserve water, plant trees, improve source protection, and maintain grievance redressal systems, demonstrating strong ownership at the grassroots.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image004MQSU.jpg\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>DDWS team in discussion with representatives from Khawruhliian village, District &#8211; Aizwal,\u00a0Mizoram in Mizo language<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image006ZNED.jpg\" \/><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Shri KVS Choudhary, MD \u2013 Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam attending the Sujal Gram Samvad session through VC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>District administrations and the State Water and Sanitation Missions are playing a critical role in supporting villages and communities to strengthen and expand their efforts. From guiding villages in source sustainability and O&amp;M planning to enabling convergence with MGNREGA, facilitating water quality testing, and helping communities adopt good practices, the districts and States are ensuring that the progress achieved under JJM is sustained and taken to the next level.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>State-Wise Participation From GP Headquartering Villages<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The following villages participated through structured 15-minute regional-language segments:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Odisha (Odia):\u00a0Belagam, District &#8211; Ganjam<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Madhya Pradesh (Hindi):\u00a0Beohari, District &#8211; Seoni<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Manipur (Meitei\/Manipuri):\u00a0Lairenjam, District &#8211; Imphal West<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rajasthan (Rajasthani\/Marwari):\u00a0Nirjharana, District &#8211; Dausa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Tamil Nadu (Tamil):\u00a0Alinjivakkam, District &#8211; Tiruvallur<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Andhra Pradesh (Telugu):\u00a0Enamadala, District &#8211; Eluru<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Punjab (Punjabi):\u00a0Parcha, District &#8211; Gurdaspur<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Gujarat (Gujarati):\u00a0Takhatgadh, District &#8211; Sabarkantha<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Maharashtra (Marathi):\u00a0Sarola, District &#8211; Pune<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Mizoram (Thadou\/Mizo):\u00a0Khawruhliian, District &#8211; Aizwal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Bihar (Bhojpuri\/Maithili\/Magahi):\u00a0Kachariyadih, District &#8211; Nawada<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Uttar Pradesh (Hindi\/Bundelkhandi):\u00a0Banka Pahari, District &#8211; Jhansi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>A Platform for Shared Learning Across Governance Levels<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>One of the key objectives of the Sujal Gram Samvad was to ensure that the\u00a0learnings and good practices shared by villages\u00a0are\u00a0taken forward by district administrations and State Missions. The dialogue with DCs\/DMs and State Mission Directors helped ensure that these successful local efforts can be\u00a0adopted, strengthened, and expanded\u00a0at the district and State levels.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>In his inaugural speech, Secretary, DDWS stated:\u00a0\u201cThe framework of Sujal Gram Samvad has been designed to listen to Gram Panchayats, understand their challenges, learn from their good practices, and recognise their leadership on the ground.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Following each village\u2019s presentation, the\u00a0Additional Secretary &amp; Mission Director (AS&amp;MD), NJJM, interacted with the village team, the District Collector\/District Magistrate, and the State MD. He emphasised on Operation &amp; maintenance of rural water supply systems; Convergence with MGNREGA;\u00a0Source sustainability &amp; water conservation; Regulated and equitable water supply; Water quality testing and monitoring; Grievance redress mechanisms; Panchayat dashboard utilisation; User-charge collection; Commissioning and handover protocols<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>In his closing remarks, the AS&amp;MD highlighted three critical action points:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Use of the Panchayat Dashboard:\u00a0GPs must regularly log in, track all water supply details, and submit feedback or issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Training of village youth, especially girls:\u00a0GPs should identify youth through Gram Sabhas for technical training to manage village assets independently.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Protection of all drinking water sources:\u00a0He emphasised on long-term sustainability, referencing the\u00a0Revised MGNREGA Guidelines (Gazette Notification S.O. 4288(E), 23 Sept 2025)\u00a0mandating water-related expenditure for recharge, harvesting, and source protection.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Samvad was chaired by Secretary, DDWS, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena and attended by AS&amp;MD, NJJM, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan; JS-NJJM, Smt. Swati Meena Naik; senior DDWS officers; and District Collectors\/District Magistrates, State MDs, members from SWSM and DWSM\u00a0 from all States\/UTs, along with village representatives from all State\/UTs.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Regional-Language Dialogue Strengthens Trust<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The multilingual format of the Sujal Gram Samvad allowed communities to share openly in their own languages, creating comfort, trust, and authenticity. It deepened the connection between communities and institutions and helped the officials gain direct insight into the ground reality.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Going forward, the\u00a0Sujal Gram Samvad will be held periodically, enabling continuous, structured, and inclusive dialogue between villages, districts, States, and DDWS.\u00a0These efforts will continue with other states as well.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DDWS Organises First Multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad; Villagers Share Stories of Transformation under JJM A first-of-its-kind platform connecting Gram Panchayat headquarters villages, districts, States\/UTs, and DDWS through regional-language dialogue People across the country listen to grassroots voices and experiences in their own languages Posted On: 18 NOV 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi The inaugural\u00a0Sujal Gram &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12455"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12458,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12455\/revisions\/12458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}