STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary on Sunday urged the people to assist the government in its initiatives of saving water and keeping the water resources clean.
“Water conservation without the involvement of masses is not possible”, the minister said adding that there is a need that people start developing water saving habits and refrain from throwing garbage in the water bodies. The minister said this after flagging off 5 km long ‘Big Jammu Run – Run to Save Water’ from Gulshan Ground here this morning. The minister exhorted the participants of ‘Big Jammu Run’ to become leaders of change and spread the message of saving water in the society. “We must take a pledge today to conserve as much water as we can and guide others to follow,” he added. Minister of State for PHE, I and FC Sayeed Farooq Ahmed Andrabi, in his address, said the government is taking one step after the other for providing safe and clean drinking water to the people of the State. Many new Water Supply Schemes are being established in rural and far-flung areas of the State at a tremendous pace for the benefit of common masses, he added. He further said, “It is the duty of every citizen to save this scarce natural resource for future generations.”
Child artist of ‘Dangal’ movie fame Zaira Wasim, daughter of the soil who played the childhood role of Geeta Phogat, also insisted on the importance of saving water and expressed her concern over the fact that using water injudiciously would lead to a big crisis soon. Addressing the participants, Zaira said, “I am really excited and proud to be a part of the BIG Jammu Run. It is a noble initiative by 92.7 BIG FM and CCDU, Department of PHE and I applaud them for regularly taking an active interest in the betterment of society. I am honoured to support the cause”. Pertinently, ‘Big Jammu Run – Run to save Water’ was an initiative of Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU), Department of PHE, I and FC and supported by Big 92.7 FM. Later, the minister felicitated the winners of lucky draw including Abdul Hamid, Shakti Kumar and Tushar Saroch. The message of ‘saving water’ was spread through various scintillating performances viz. Zumba performance by Shape n Smile and Body Engineers Fitness Centre, musical show by Tansen Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, dramatic plays by Rangyug and students of Jodhamal Public School. People hailing from all parts of Jammu besides officers and jawans of Indian Army, Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), Indian Reserve Police (IRP), professional athletes, sportspersons, senior citizens, school and college students participated in the run. Commissioner Secretary, PHE, I and FC Department Sanjeev Verma, IGP, Jammu Danesh Rana, Secretary, J and K State Sports Council Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, Chief Engineer, PHE Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, I and FC Rajiv Gandotra, Chief Engineer, Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Complex H C Jerath, Executive Director, CCDU Rajeev Malhotra, Director Finance PHE/ I and FC, Mahesh Dass, Chief Engineer PHE Jammu, Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer I and FC Jammu, R. K. Gandotra, Superintending Engineer, PHE Jammu, K. K. Mangotra and Cluster Head J and K and Punjab, 92.7 BIG FM, Syed Mujtaba Ali Jaffery and other staff of PHE, I and FC Department and 92.7 Big FM were also present.
