Dr Ambedkar’s birthday to be celebrated as Water Day

Dr BR Ambedkar’s birthday, 14 April, will be observed as “Water Day” across India. The day will be observed to mark Ambedkar’s contribution in water resource management of the country.

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti announced the same while addressing a National Seminar on Marching ahead on Dr Ambedkar’s path of water resources management for inclusive growth. She was the Chief Guest of the seminar that was organised by Central Water Commission in New Delhi.

Nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas

The seminar was organised on 6 December 2016 to mark the 61st death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar.

The day will be observed with an aim to sensitise people about managing water resources, which is a precious resource for life.

Highlights of Uma Bharti's speech

• She pitched for bringing reforms in the management of water resources across the nation and also suggested punishment for those who misuse water.
• It’s time to know whether treated water is required for all purposes and people should know how to use treated and non-treated water
• She referred to the Dr Mihir Shah report on restructuring of the Central Ground Water Board and the Central Water Commission (CWC) but said that the reforms should be acceptable to all.
• She highlighted her ministry’s 99 Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) schemes, whose completion would help in irrigating about 80 lakh hectare additional lands. AIBP project will be completed by 2020.
• She also called for redefining the flood management system of India, which would be taken to a positive direction.
• During the seminar, the contribution of Dr Ambedkar in the field of water management and the way forward for ensuring the inclusive growth of all sections of the society was discussed.

Remembering Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on 125th Birth Anniversary and his contribution to Indian Constitution

Ambedkar’s role in defining water management in India

• During his tenure (1942 to 1946) as Member (Labour) of the Viceroy's Executive Council, Ambedkar was a guide in the formation of the policy for the development of water resources in India.
• For formation of the policy, he laid the foundation of the Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWINC). CWINC later became the present-day CWC.
• He was an advocate of the concept of River Valley Authority.
• He was the man behind the existing multi-purpose development of Damodar Valley, Hirakud and other projects