PNN
New Delhi [India], March 25: The twentieth Edition of the Water Digest World Water Awards was held efficiently, bringing collectively policymakers, world establishments, business pioneers, and grassroots changemakers for a night devoted to dialogue, recognition, and impression.
The night marked a celebration of the platform’s 20-year legacy in recognising innovation, sustainability, and management in water administration throughout sectors.
The awards had been preceded by a particular session titled ‘Roots to Resilience: Women and Water,’ a joint initiative between UNESCO and UNEP, with Water Digest as co-organiser. The session featured an impassioned tackle on the sacred traditions surrounding water in India, highlighting how ladies have lengthy been their custodians and proceed to uphold them right now by Dr. Kunwarani Ritu Singh, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founder of Delhi Public Schools in Jammu, Nagbani, Katra, and Leh.
Distinguished Leadership and Global Participation
The awards night was graced by Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, as Chief Guest, together with Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shaktias the Guest of Honour. The distinguished gathering additionally included Shri Sumant Narain, Joint Secretary, National Water Mission, and Dr. Benno Boer, Programme Specialist, Natural Sciences, UNESCO.
The occasion was led by Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud,Director and Editor, together with Shri Umesh Kumar Sharma, Director, Water Digest.
Opening Addresses and Thought Leadership
The inaugural section commenced with a Welcome Address by Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, who took the gathering on a reflective journey via twenty years of Water Digest, twenty years of unwavering dedication to disseminating water data and shaping the dialog round certainly one of humanity’s most urgent challenges.
Shri A. B. Pandya, Editor-in-Chief, Water Digest, delivered the Opening Address, highlighting the outstanding technological improvements being recognised at this 12 months’s awards. He underlined how every of those breakthroughs holds the potential to basically rework water administration and ship far-reaching advantages to society at giant.
A Global Perspective – Dr. Benno Boer, UNESCO
In his Special Address, Dr. Benno Boer, Programme Specialist and Chief of Section – Natural Sciences, UNESCO opened with a elementary reality: that water just isn’t a commodity or a comfort, however an absolute situation of human existence. He famous with encouragement that human ingenuity has already yielded outstanding enhancements in water administration.
He warmly congratulated Water Digest on their long-term and steadfast contribution to the water sector, and counseled all of the awardees of the night.
Policy Vision and National Priorities – Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti
The Inaugural Address was delivered by Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India, who congratulated Water Digest for making a platform that meaningfully recognises innovation and management within the water sector, and prolonged his heat felicitations to all winners.
Situating his tackle inside the broader nationwide imaginative and prescient, Shri Choudhary affirmed that as India marches in the direction of Viksit Bharat 2047, water safety has assumed nationwide significance. He spoke at size concerning the integration of know-how, which ensures adherence to requirements, allows corrective motion in actual time, and brings transparency and accountability to water governance.
He concluded on a notice of confidence: with continued innovation, robust governance, and collective effort, India will emerge as a worldwide chief in sustainable water administration
A Call to Water Action – Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti
Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, opened his Ministerial Address by congratulating each Water Warrior within the room, observing that the extent of consciousness round water conservation seen in India right now is a testomony to the rising momentum of the Jal Sanchay motion.
Shri Patil famous that whereas the nation receives plentiful rainfall, its storage capability falls far wanting assembly demand. As a end result, India has come to rely closely on groundwater to compensate for the shortfall, steadily depleting its ranges and high quality. The crucial, he acknowledged, is to keep away from drawing from the bottom, and to replenish it.
He known as upon each particular person to behave and turn into an inspiration for these round them. The accountability to behave, he mentioned, is one which historical past will choose: if this era fails to rise to the problem, future generations is not going to forgive the neglect.
He reserved heartfelt phrases of gratitude for Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, acknowledging that her work with Water Digest has performed a quiet however highly effective position in shaping the nation’s water consciousness.
Recognising Water Warriors Leading Change
The Water Digest World Water Awards 2025-26 celebrated a distinguished group of Water Warriorswhose contributions proceed to form the way forward for water administration. The twentieth version introduced collectively a various spectrum of members, together with public sector establishments, non-public enterprises, non-governmental organisations, analysis our bodies, and people working throughout the water ecosystem.
The platform celebrated achievements and bolstered a forward-looking imaginative and prescient the place coverage, know-how, and neighborhood participation come collectively to handle rising water challenges.
Ensuring Credibility: The Jury
The credibility and integrity of the awards are anchored in a distinguished jury panel comprising eminent specialists from throughout the water, setting, coverage, and analysis domains.
The jury for the twentieth version included Shri A. B. Pandya, Editor-in-Chief, Water Digest; Mr. Anshuman, Director – Water Resources, TERI; Shri R. S. Tyagi, Chief Technical Officer, NDMC; Dr. Neha Midha, National Programme Officer (Natural Sciences), UNESCO New Delhi Office; Dr. Naman Gupta State Project Manager, UNDP India; Er. A. Ok. Gupta, Additional Director, RCUES Lucknow; Dr. Ram Boojh, Environmental Expert and Mr. Mohd. Najeeb Ahsan, Sr. Communication Manager, NMCG.
Bringing collectively deep experience and various views, the jury adopted a rigorous analysis course of to determine initiatives and leaders driving significant impression within the water sector.
Partnerships Powering the Platform
The twentieth version of the Water Digest World Water Awards was supported by main establishments together with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India; NITI Aayog; UNESCO; National Mission for Clean Ganga; and Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority.
The organisers additionally acknowledge the precious help of companions ANDRITZ, Daiki Axis India, KkerdosCreators, PlugIn and Vermillion Communications.
Adding vibrancy to the night, Ms. Shruti Seth hosted the ceremony, bringing power, magnificence, and seamless circulation to the occasion.
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