{"id":15407,"date":"2026-01-09T16:26:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T10:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=15407"},"modified":"2026-01-09T16:26:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T10:56:44","slug":"ddws-organises-second-edition-of-multilingual-sujal-gram-samvad-with-8-gp-headquartering-villages-across-8-states-in-their-local-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=15407","title":{"rendered":"DDWS organises Second Edition of multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad with 8 GP-headquartering villages across 8 States in their local language"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

DDWS organises Second Edition of multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad with 8 GP-headquartering villages across 8 States in their local language<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nUnion Minister Shri C. R. Patil interacts in Gujarati with Zahirpura village, Mehsana district, Gujarat<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Minister of State Shri V. Somanna engages in Kannada with Kodi village, Udupi district, Karnataka<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Interaction in local language with village communities strengthen \u2018Jan Bhagidari\u2019 and community-led water governance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Posted On: 19 DEC 2025 4:56PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

The\u00a0Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, successfully organised the\u00a0Second Edition of \u2018Sujal Gram Samvad\u2019\u00a0today, reinforcing the Government of India\u2019s commitment to participatory water governance and community-led implementation of\u00a0Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The virtual interaction brought together\u00a0Gram Panchayat representatives, Village Water and Sanitation Committee members, community participants, women SHGs, and frontline functionaries, along with\u00a0District Collectors\/Deputy Commissioners, CEOs of Zila Panchayats, DWSM officials, and senior officers from States and Union Territories.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The second edition of Sujal Gram Samvad recorded participation of\u00a0over 8,000 participants, reflecting strong engagement from communities and officials alike. In addition,\u00a0villagers joined the interactions in large groups\u00a0at the Gram Panchayat level, including women, children, youth, and elderly community members, whose collective participation extended well beyond the registered count.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Village-level interactions were held with\u00a08 Gram Panchayat headquartering villages.\u00a0The Union Minister interacted in Gujarati with the villagers of Zahirpura, Mehsana district, Gujarat, while\u00a0Minister of State Shri V. Somanna interacted in Kannada with the community of Kodi village, Udupi district, Karnataka.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Voices from the Ground<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Zahirpura, Mehsana, Gujarat<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The\u00a0Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, warmly greeted the villagers with a cheerful\u00a0\u201cKem Cho\u201d\u00a0before engaging with them in\u00a0Gujarati, instantly setting a comfortable tone for the interaction.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Villagers shared how access to clean and safe drinking water has led to a\u00a0reduction in water-borne illnesses, resulting in\u00a0savings on medical expenses, which families are now able to invest in the\u00a0education of their children. They also highlighted the relief from the daily burden of fetching water, regular\u00a0water quality testing, prompt repair of pipelines, and availability of\u00a0clean drinking water throughout the year. They also stated that the\u00a0active Pani Samiti\u00a0plays a key role in system management, including\u00a0collection of user charges of \u20b9700 per household, ensuring timely operation and maintenance. The interaction reflected why the\u00a0Gujarat model of community-managed drinking water supply is widely recognised across the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a02. Kodi, Udupi, Karnataka<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    In\u00a0Kodi Gram Panchayat of Udupi district, Karnataka, the interaction focused on the village\u2019s achievement of\u00a024\u00d77 drinking water supply, which has emerged as a benchmark within the district.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The interaction began with a warm\u00a0\u201cNamaskaram\u201d\u00a0by the\u00a0Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, setting an open tone for dialogue in\u00a0Kannada. Community members spoke about\u00a0regular FTK-based water quality testing, discussions held during\u00a0DISHA meetings, and transparent decision-making at the Gram Panchayat level.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The village highlighted the crucial role played by\u00a0Nal Jal Mitras\u00a0in day-to-day operation and maintenance, water quality monitoring, and tariff collection. The community explained how\u00a0regular user charges and strong institutional mechanisms\u00a0have ensured financial sustainability and uninterrupted service delivery.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Pacheykhani, Pakyong, Sikkim<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In\u00a0Pacheykhani village of Pakyong district, interactions were held with\u00a0VWSC members, school children, and community representatives, who highlighted the role of a\u00a0robust WASH ecosystem\u00a0in improving village and school sanitation outcomes. The village shared experiences of an effective grievance redressal system and strong community participation in operation and maintenance of water supply schemes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      Smt. Aishvarya Singh, Joint Secretary and Mission Director \u2013 Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen,\u00a0interacted with the community in\u00a0Nepali, discussing the local water situation, source sustainability measures, user charge collection, and O&M practices. Special focus was placed on\u00a0WASH activities in schools, including awareness programmes for children and the importance of inclusion of WASH elements in school education. The interaction underscored how early sensitisation and community ownership contribute to long-term sustainability.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Awneera, Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The community members spoke in\u00a0Urdu and Hindi\u00a0and shared the significant changes brought about by\u00a0 Jal Jeevan Mission. They recalled that\u00a0prior to JJM, villagers, especially women, had to\u00a0walk several kilometres to\u00a0chashmas<\/em>\u00a0and rivers\u00a0to fetch water, which was often\u00a0muddy and unsafe. Today, the village is served by a\u00a0water purification plant, and households receive\u00a0clean drinking water, with\u00a0regular water quality testing through laboratories.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        The community highlighted that\u00a0schools and anganwadi centres now have assured water supply, which was not the case earlier. Villagers also shared that efforts are being made towards\u00a0source conservation, contamination prevention, and long-term sustainability.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Senior officials emphasised that while schemes have been designed\u00a0keeping people\u2019s needs at the centre, sustained focus on\u00a0operation and maintenance\u00a0is essential. It was shared that\u00a0water supply schemes worth approximately \u20b96.7 crore\u00a0have benefited\u00a0over 5,000 people\u00a0in the area.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Looking ahead, the village shared\u00a0future plans for grey water management structures in schools, convergence with\u00a0MGNREGA, with an expected funding of\u00a0\u20b984 lakh, along with\u00a0annual asset-wise audits.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        The village also spoke about\u00a0pipeline augmentation from 8 km to 32 km\u00a0to ensure last-mile connectivity, with\u00a0springs as the main source.\u00a0Spring-shed development with NABARD support, community-led\u00a0shramdaan, social fencing, recharge structures, and capacity-building programmes are being undertaken. Agriculture in the area, largely\u00a0apple-based, is being aligned with water availability, with villagers actively monitoring water levels and usage.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Dakin Porbotia, Jorhat, Assam<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          In Assam, the discussion in\u00a0Assamese\u00a0focused on ensuring the\u00a0functionality and sustainability\u00a0of water supply schemes. The district shared that\u00a0221 schemes have been handed over, with\u00a0182 schemes recording regular and 100% user tariff collection, placing the district\u00a0first in the State\u00a0in terms of collection.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          Regular monitoring is carried out through the\u00a0JJM Brain App, including daily flow meter readings, with\u00a0Jal Mitras promptly addressing minor disruptions. Institutional mechanisms such as\u00a0fortnightly DWSM meetings,\u00a0monthly Jal Baithaks, and utility-shifting committees were highlighted for preventing damage during development works and resolving grievances in a timely manner. Reports are uploaded on the\u00a0IMIS portal, and villagers expressed satisfaction with the responsiveness of the system and the strong community involvement in scheme management.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Kaluwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            In Kaluwala village of Dehradun district, villagers, in Pahadi\/Dogri language, shared that\u00a0trained women regularly conduct water quality testing twice a year, before and after the monsoon, and additional tests whenever required. Any concerns identified through testing are promptly escalated to the district authorities for corrective action.\u00a0Minor repairs and leakages are addressed at the village level by the Pani Samiti, with support from local plumbers, ensuring uninterrupted water supply.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            The district administration highlighted its strong focus on\u00a0source augmentation and long-term sustainability, with convergence under\u00a0MGNREGA and rural development programmes.\u00a0Jal Sakhis and women SHG members\u00a0are actively involved in scheme monitoring, timely reporting of issues, and\u00a0collection of user charges, a model currently piloted in three villages and proposed for district-wide scale-up.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            Community members, including elderly residents and school children, expressed gratitude for reliable access to clean water. Schools reported improved availability of safe drinking water, regular testing, and clean sanitation facilities, benefiting over\u00a0200 school-going girls. The district shared that\u00a0over 91% villages have achieved Har Ghar Jal status, with\u00a0regular monthly DWSM meetings, use of\u00a0dashboard-based monitoring, and preparations underway for\u00a0social audits starting January, further strengthening transparency and accountability.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            \"A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Aarani, Simdega, Jharkhand<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              In their local language –\u00a0Sadri, community members shared that\u00a0water quality testing is conducted every month, with results reported through mobile phones on the\u00a0Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS). Women from\u00a0Self Help Groups and Jal Sahiyas\u00a0play an active role in testing, reporting, and awareness generation.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Villagers explained that the\u00a0time saved from fetching water\u00a0is now being productively used for\u00a0grocery management, agriculture, and goat rearing. A school-going girl from Class 8 shared that\u00a0regular attendance has improved, as clean drinking water has been available in schools for the past two years. Anganwadi workers and Jal Sahiyas also spoke about\u00a0user charge collection, regular awareness sessions, and convergence for\u00a0operation and maintenance.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Being a\u00a0hilly and ST-dominated district (around 70% ST population), Aarani faces seasonal source challenges, with sources drying up during lean periods. To address this,\u00a0source sustainability and water conservation measures, including soak pits and recharge structures, are being promoted with the active involvement of Jal Sahiyas.\u00a0Jan Bhagidari\u00a0is evident through the strong engagement of Jal Sahiyas, Anganwadi workers, and the community.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              It was shared that\u00a0all 399 households in the village are paying user charges, and more than\u00a04,000 Single Village Schemes (SVSs)\u00a0have been handed over to Panchayats across the district. A total of\u00a093 Panchayats have been trained, with regular monitoring and convergence with\u00a0MGNREGA\u00a0to strengthen sustainability.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Lohara, Chandrapur, Maharashtra<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Community members in\u00a0Marathi, shared that the success of the scheme stemmed from\u00a0strong planning right from the design stage through execution, with active involvement of the\u00a0VWSC and the community.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                Villagers highlighted\u00a0timely collection of water tariffs, strong ownership, and regular follow-up by the district administration.\u00a0Peer learning and experience sharing\u00a0have helped improve implementation, while\u00a0regular water quality testing\u00a0has ensured safe and potable water in households, schools, and Anganwadi centres.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                A\u00a0monthly water tariff of \u20b990 per household\u00a0has been fixed, with\u00a0QR-code-based payments\u00a0enabling residents to pay conveniently from home.\u00a0Jal Surakshaks and Gram Panchayat staff\u00a0undertake door-to-door visits to ensure awareness and timely collection. Regular\u00a0Gram Sabha meetings\u00a0explain expenditure details related to repairs, electricity, bleaching powder, and maintenance, ensuring transparency.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                Earlier, while setting the context,\u00a0Secretary, DDWS, Shri Ashok K. K. Meena\u00a0emphasised that the Sujal Gram Samvad platform was designed to listen to villagers\u00a0in their own languages, enabling a deeper understanding of how communities are managing the\u00a0operation and maintenance of water supply schemes\u00a0and other issues. He highlighted that the interactions would capture how the provision of\u00a0tap water connections has transformed daily life, particularly for women, and would bring forward stories of positive change, community-led innovations, and local initiatives undertaken to ensure\u00a0sustainability and improved service delivery.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                In his concluding remarks,\u00a0Shri Kamal Kishore Soan,\u00a0Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission, emphasised the need to institutionalise regular\u00a0District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings\u00a0to closely review functionality, water quality, and sustainability of schemes. He underlined that\u00a0all Gram Panchayats should be actively onboarded onto Panchayat Dashboards, with Panchayat Secretaries oriented to use the\u00a0e-Gram Swaraj portal and JJM dashboards\u00a0for real-time reporting and two-way communication on ground-level issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                He also stressed strict\u00a0compliance with the recently issued commissioning guidelines, including the mandatory\u00a015-day trial run before handover, to ensure system readiness and accountability. Highlighting the importance of water quality awareness, he called for\u00a0schools to be sensitised on drinking water quality, testing practices, and safe water behaviour, so that children become informed stakeholders in sustaining safe water systems.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by\u00a0Shri Y. K. Singh, Director, NJJM,\u00a0bringing the Second Edition of\u00a0Sujal Gram Samvad<\/em>\u00a0to a successful close.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                DDWS organises Second Edition of multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad with 8 GP-headquartering villages across 8 States in their local language Union Minister Shri C. R. Patil interacts in Gujarati with Zahirpura village, Mehsana district, Gujarat Minister of State Shri V. Somanna engages in Kannada with Kodi village, Udupi district, Karnataka Interaction in local language with …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15407","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\/15407","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=15407"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15410,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15407\/revisions\/15410"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}