UP: Banda village head recounts ‘Jal Jeevan’ revolution during interaction with PM Narendra Modi

KANPUR: Two years after the launch of ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to provide piped water to households even in far-flung villages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Umaree village pradhan in Banda district of Bundelkhand through video-conference on Saturday. Village head Girijakant Tiwari recounted how Jal Jeevan mission had revolutionised their lives with clean water flowing from taps and women relieved of the treacherous trek through the parched hinterland to fetch water. Tiwari also told the prime minister that every home in Umaree has a toilet and the village is open-defecation-free.
Praising villagers of Bundelkhand for their dedication, the PM said, women have been empowered and getting their due with dignity through schemes like PM Awas, Ujjwala and Jal Jeevan Mission. In the seven-minute conversation, he took note of development projects in the district even as villagers huddled in front of a giant LED screen to hear the prime minister.
Banda MP R K Singh Patel, local MLA Chandrapal Kushwaha, district panchayat president Sunil Kumar Patel, divisional commissioner Dinesh Kumar Singh, director of Jal Jeevan Mission Akhand Pratap Singh, district magistrate Anurag Patel were present.
“Sisters and daughters of Bundelkhand would spend their invaluable time in construction activity, but had to wander about for water. The situation is fast changing. In last 6-7 years, it’s our endeavour to empower our sisters, daughters and mothers,” the PM said.
Speaking to the gram pradhan, Modi asked, “Tiwari ji, what was the water situation in your village and how is it now.” Tiwari said, “Earlier, we had to fetch water from reservoirs or hand pumps. Now, water is reaching every household under Jal Jeevan Mission. We are also free from water-borne diseases. Women find comfort in cooking and enough time to teach children, while we find easy access to water for agriculture. We are thrilled and we believe that what you say, happens.”
To Modi’s query on the toilet construction campaign in Bundelkhand, Tiwari said, “Women feel safe as they don’t have to defecate in the open. Now, every house has a clean toilet.”
The prime minister also launched the Jal Jeevan Mission App to generate awareness among stakeholders and for ensuring transparency and accountability of the scheme. He also launched Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, where any individual, institution, corporation or philanthropist can contribute to help provide tap water connections in rural households, school, anganwadi centre, ashram shala, and other public institutions.