Intellectuals dwell on water crisis

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 13

A conclave on Punjab waters (Maha Panchayat) was organised by the NGO Initiators of Change, run by youngsters, at Punjabi Bhawan today.

Intellectuals, social activists and youth leaders explained about the history of Punjab waters and discussed how these could be saved.The speakers also interacted with the audience to discuss water crisis and solutions.

The speakers included Dr SS Kukkal, Dean, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), eminent writer and social activist Jaswant Singh Zafar, young lawyer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harjot Singh Bains, IT expert Jaskirat Singh, journalist Simranjot Singh Makkar and social activist Amandeep Singh Bains from NGO RBS Roots.

The conclave was attended by more than 200 students of various schools, members of NGOs and people from all walks of society.

Founder of the Initiators of Change (IOC), Gouravdeep Singh and president Smridhi Sharma said the idea was to brought the attention of youngsters towards the water crisis and solution. The gathering also took a pledge to save water for future and contribute towards society.

Dr SS Kukkal suggested that everyone should use water according to needs and it was a need of the hour to save every drop of water. The people should also make efforts to recycle water. Jaswant Singh Zafar said the condition of the state and district could be recognised from its rivers, canals and water bodies.

“Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana reflects the situation of the city. We should not depend on the government and rather make efforts to find a solution to save water,” he said. Advocate Harjot Singh Bains briefed the youngsters about the history of Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) and its present situation and the case pending in the Supreme Court.

He suggested that leaders should install rainwater harvesting system and become the role models for people.Simranjot Singh Makkar said Punjab had not enough water to share with its neighbouring states, but the water from Punjab rivers and dams was being shared with Haryana and Rajasthan.

Amandeep Singh Bains, a social activist, stressed on finding a solution to end the water crisis.