Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari called for a fundamental shift in how the nation approaches water management, stating that water conservation must transform into a genuine Jan Andolan (people’s movement) rather than being viewed solely as a government responsibility.
Speaking on Sunday at “Nagpur Jalsamvad-2026” conference, Minister Gadkari addressed an audience of policymakers, environmentalists, and citizens at the Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Auditorium.
“Water conservation cannot be limited to official files and state-funded projects,” Gadkari emphasized. “It must become a public crusade where every citizen contributes to securing our water future.“
On Day 2, the event was attended by prominent personalities across the country. Over 40 conservation experts, researchers, and grassroots activists from 17 states were present. Leading social reform organizations were also present at the national event. The Paani Foundation was represented by Aamir Khan, while the NAAM Foundation was led by veteran actor Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure.
The academic and research frontier was represented by Dr. Umar Saif, Director R&D at Orchid University and Water Peace Institute. He showcased the university’s cutting-edge rural water management projects, asserting how academic research is being practiced.
The second day of the conclave focused on long-term policy and strategic planning. A round table conference, chaired by the International Head of the RSS environmental wing, was held. Delegations were made for a resilient ecological roadmap across the country. Prominent personalities who attended the discussions included.
Subsequently, a national think tank group will be constituted to advise policy frameworks regarding Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development across the country.
Besides eminent personalities and Bollywood celebrities, several senior political officials also gathered at the event. Maharashtra’s Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod, State Minister Ashish Jaiswal, and Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, alongside Vice-Chancellors from various national universities, were amongst those.
A key highlight of the valedictory speech on Day 2 was the appreciation of Purti Sanstha’s ‘Tamasweda Model‘- a highly successful, replicable decentralized water conservation blueprint implemented in several rural areas. Purti Sanstha President Prafulladatta Jamdar and Secretary Madhav Kotasthane, in a joint appeal, urged the Indian citizens, precisely youth and residents of urban India, to helm the water conservation movement. Additionally, several books dedicated to water conservation were also launched.
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