Date : March 01, 2023
Around 76 million people in India lack access to clean drinking water. Despite significant efforts by both central and state governments to provide piped water supply to urban and rural areas, many people still face challenges in accessing a reliable supply of water. One major challenge is India’s rapidly growing population, which further complicates the ability of authorities to meet this demand. Under these circumstances, community involvement becomes crucial. It is essential to educate communities and help them understand the importance of adopting effective measures to address these pressing issues.
In line with this vision to support and empower rural communities, the Jivamritam purified drinking water project was launched in October 2017 by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, and the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.
To implement the Jivamritam project, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from numerous panchayats (village governing bodies) across Kerala.
Terms of Collaboration
The NOC, signed by the panchayat president or secretary, grants Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham permission to install Jivamritam water purification units, benefiting over 100 families at each location. The panchayat is responsible for ensuring the availability of land, water, and electricity necessary for the operation of these units. Additionally, the panchayat will establish a Water Committee composed of selected beneficiaries from the community, who will make decisions on behalf of all users. The panchayat will also ensure that these water committees are accountable for the day-to-day operation of the purification systems.
(Note: The NOCs were issued in the local language, Malayalam)