Two-Day Workshop on Safe Drinking Water and Water Quality Testing Concludes
Jal Shakti Department’s Engineer-in-Chief Anju Sharma Attends Closing Ceremony, Distributes Certificates to Participants
A two-day workshop organized by the WASH Institute on the topics of safe drinking water, water quality testing, and Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) was successfully concluded on June 11-12 at the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) in Mashobra. The workshop provided training to 45 women associated with various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from the Mashobra development block.
The workshop was chaired by Deepak Shanan, former Additional Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer. In his address, he expressed concern over the increasing pollution of water sources and emphasized the need for community participation to ensure cleanliness and safe drinking water in society. He stated that the women receiving training would become agents of positive social change by spreading awareness in their respective villages.
On the occasion of the workshop’s conclusion, Chief Guest Anju Sharma, Engineer-in-Chief of the Jal Shakti Department, addressed the participating women, stating that women play the most crucial role in bringing about change in society. She said that women who work with strong determination and dedication provide new direction to the community. She expressed gratitude to the WASH Institute for organizing technical cooperation and capacity-building programs in the field of safe drinking water and sanitation in the state, and assured that the Jal Shakti Department would provide full support to this campaign.
During the two-day training, participants received detailed information on Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS), prevention of waterborne diseases, procedures for water quality testing, and the importance of safe drinking water at the community level. The objective of the training was to empower women to spread awareness about water safety and sanitation in their villages.
At the closing session, certificates were distributed to all participants. Additionally, a guidance flipbook was released for conducting awareness activities at the field level, which the women will use to run public awareness campaigns in their villages.
From the WASH Institute, State Coordinator Dr. O.P. Bhureta, Program Associate Ajay Sharma, Block Coordinators Amit Sharma and Yashpal Sharma, and Water Experts Monika Thakur and Anuradha conducted the training sessions.
The trained women will also assist various departments in water quality testing activities over the next six months, along with raising awareness about safe drinking water and sanitation in their respective villages.
It is noteworthy that this workshop was organized by the WASH Institute and CAWST in collaboration with the Jal Shakti Department and the Rural Development Department. The objective of the program is to ensure the availability of safe drinking water at the community level and to empower local leadership for the prevention of waterborne diseases.
