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The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) held a National Visioning Workshop on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in New Delhi on October 28, focusing on the Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen and the Jal Jeevan Mission. Key officials, including Secretary Smt. Vini Mahajan, discussed achievements and future strategies for community engagement. The workshop highlighted the need for local outreach and acknowledged progress in states like Gujarat and Manipur. It also launched "Drinking Waterscape in Rural India," showcasing JJM's impact, and reaffirmed the commitment to universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2027.

Empowering Rural India Through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

NEW DELHI – The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) held a significant workshop today at Bharat Mandapam, focusing on the National Visioning Workshop for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). This event marks a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts of the Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen (SBMG) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), aimed at improving living conditions in rural areas across India.

Dignitaries including Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary of DDWS, and other senior officials gathered to assess past achievements and outline future strategies for sustainable community engagement. The workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration among states and Union Territories to bolster WASH goals nationwide.

Fostering Community Engagement for Sustainable Solutions

Smt. Vini Mahajan highlighted the importance of rigorous community engagement and accountability in ensuring the success of WASH initiatives. "To resonate deeply with rural citizens, we need to strengthen local outreach through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC)," she said, urging state leaders to prioritize these strategies.

Shri Ashok Meena echoed her sentiments, emphasizing a community-centered approach as essential for achieving sustainable impact. He announced ongoing initiatives like the ODF Plus Model Villages, encouraging innovative solutions under SBM-G 3.0.

The workshop also introduced a pilot initiative in collaboration with NITI Aayog, aimed at enhancing WASH solutions in select aspirational districts. Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar commended states like Gujarat and Manipur for their notable progress and stressed the need for robust financial planning to maximize the impact of these programs.

The event concluded with the launch of "Drinking Waterscape in Rural India - Jal Jeevan Mission," a comprehensive resource that documents the successes of JJM in expanding access to safe drinking water.

With a renewed commitment to achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2027, DDWS officials called on state representatives to leverage community leadership and prioritize the maintenance of WASH assets. As the sector anticipates new leadership, there is hope that these initiatives will continue to elevate the WASH landscape in rural India.