The UN World Water Day was celebrated at the House of Commons (Portcullis House) on 20 March during which importance of water efficiency was stressed through presentations, song and dance.
Baroness Anne McIntosh representing All-Party Parliamentary Water Group has given the keynote speech underscoring the role of women and organisations such as the United Nations and OECD and expressed her delight in supporting the World Water Day celebrations.
Parliamentary host of the event Bob Blackman MP remarked that it could be the first time that the World Water Day is celebrated at the House of Commons and has congratulated Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence for commemorating the World Water Day as a reminder of how precious water is in today’s time and of the responsibility upon all to be mindful of its usage.
A presentation including the milestones and socio-cultural activities of Sanskruti Centre was given by its founder Ragasudha Vinjamuri.
Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, President of CIWEM Bruce Keith, Director of Projects for Waterwise Aaron Burton, Sewerage Project Manager at Northumbrian Water Group Helen Allister, Educator and wife of Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik Mrs Poonam Patnaik, Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Saleha Jaffer, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland in London Dr Vipin Nadda, Green Team member of Brahma Kumaris Sister Dulce Rocha have all presented the significance of water management from a variety of perspectives, making it an educative and informative evening.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel emphasised how access to clean and safe drinking water is an essential part of development and highlighted her department’s role in supporting investment for providing people with access to clean water. She has also highlighted improvements in water infrastructure, warning and flood management systems in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Bihar and applauded Indian Government’s Swachh Bharat programme.
Singer Ashvini Kane has presented a touching song on the importance of water and Ahana Ghosh Sikka, Anashmita Saha, Nalini Bojja, Nidhi Gupta, Padma Jonnalagadda, Reena Choudhary, Sangeeta Naik, Shivangi Gokhale, Sahithi Nekkanti, Sree Charani, Sushma Awtani and Suvarchala Madireddy from Sur Bharti group presented a creative dance highlighting the lives and livelihoods of water dependent communities. Indian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Shri Anil Dave sent his best wishes for the event. Vote of thanks was rendered by Sushil Rapatwar.
Photo Credits: CK Naidu, Snapsmith
