World Water Day 2015 observed by Tamilnadu Board of Continuing Education, (TNBCE).

Safe Drinking water use in SSMHSS

World Water Day 2015 observed by Tamilnadu Board of Continuing Education, (TNBCE) in Trichy OZONE (South Zone Board of Continuing Education) Community Centre on the forenoon of 22^nd March 2015.Members of Women SHGs those who are involved in Continuing Education visited the Rural Technology centre. Dr.P.Narayanan of Gramium presided over the function.Dr.K.Govindaraju, President of Tamilnadu Board of Continuing Education; (TNBCE) delivered the key note address on World water day.

Dr.K.Govindaraju spoke, “A drop of water is flexible, a drop of water is

Eco-sanitation Unit of SEVAI

powerful, and a drop of water is in demand. World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development . The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Humanity Needs Water and Water is at the core of sustainable development. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth, affecting the livelihoods of poor”.

TARA Pump installed in SEVAI RTC

The president of TNBCE added, “Access to clean water is a key factor in reducing poverty, improving health and achieving sustainable development. Freeing women and young girls from the back-breaking work of traveling long distances to collect water contributes to achieving gender equity and improves economic possibilities for families, as women have more time for income-generating activities, and young girls can attend school. Improved health from contamination-free water not only promises a better quality of life, but eases pressure on healthcare systems, and can drastically reduce the number of work days missed from ill health. Water is equality and every day women spend 200 million hours carrying water. In developing nations the responsibility for collecting water every day falls disproportionately on women and girls. On average women in these regions spend 25 percent of their day collecting water for their families”.

Dr.K.Govindaraju in his concluding remarks made it clear, “This is time not spent working at an income-generating job, caring for family or attending school. Investments in water and sanitation show substantial economic gains. Most water sources are contaminated by

sewage and agricultural runoff. India has made progress in the supply of safe water to its people. Hygiene practices also continue to be a problem in India. Latrine usage is extremely poor in rural areas of the country. Hand washing is also very low, increasing the spread of disease. In order to decrease the amount of disease spread through drinking-water, latrine usage and hygiene must be improved simultaneously”.-Govin