Neer-Naari-Nadi = Narayani, Narayani, Narayani: Waterman of India Dr. Rajendra Singh Captivates Audience at National Symposium on Water

It was an evening of inspiration, reflection and a renewed commitment towards water conservation as indianpsu.com, under the aegis of White Dolphin Media, organised the National Symposium on Water at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, on Sunday.

Addressing a packed auditorium, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Dr. Rajendra Singh, widely acclaimed as the Waterman of India, mesmerised the audience with a passionate and thought-provoking keynote address. Repeatedly invoking the mantra “Neer–Naari–Nadi = Narayani, Narayani, Narayani,” he emphasised the inseparable relationship between water, women and rivers, describing them as the very foundation of human civilisation and sustainable development.

Declaring that “water is a people’s resource,” Dr. Singh asserted that no individual or institution has the moral right to commercialise or monopolise it. He warned that the rapid depletion of water resources poses one of the gravest threats not only to India but to the entire world, urging governments, policymakers and citizens to work collectively towards water security before the crisis becomes irreversible.

Dr. Singh, Founder and President of Tarun Bharat Sangh, highlighted the organisation’s remarkable contribution over the past 49 years in helping more than 1,500 villages construct nearly 14,800 water conservation structures, transforming drought-prone regions into water-secure communities through people’s participation.

Coal Neer: A Model of Waste-to-Wealth

The central theme of the symposium was Coal Neer, the pioneering initiative of Coal India Limited that transforms treated mine water into safe drinking water for communities living in and around coal mining areas. The initiative has emerged as one of the country’s most significant waste-to-wealth programmes, providing potable water in regions that have historically suffered from acute water scarcity while demonstrating how mining operations can contribute to sustainable development.

Women’s Role in Water Conservation

The Guest of Honour, Ms. Indira Khurana, Chairperson of the Indian Himalayan River Basins Council (IHRBC) and Vice Chairperson of Tarun Bharat Sangh, stressed that women remain the worst sufferers of water scarcity, particularly in rural India.

She spoke emotionally about the hardships faced by women who often walk long distances—even during advanced stages of pregnancy—to fetch drinking water for their families. Calling for urgent policy interventions and community participation, she emphasised that ensuring water security is essential for women’s dignity, health and empowerment.

Eminent Panel of Experts

The symposium brought together an eminent panel of experts who shared diverse perspectives on water conservation, climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

The distinguished speakers included:

• Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Senior Professor (Retd.), Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.
• Farrukh R. Khan, former Regional Director, WaterAid and Executive Member, State Ganga Mission.
• Dr. Avantika Singh, Assistant Professor at the University of Delhi, specialising in Gender Studies, Climate Change, Adaptation and Vulnerability Studies.
• Utkarsh Sinha, veteran journalist known for his extensive work on governance, environmental issues and public policy.

Each speaker underscored the urgent need for integrated water management, climate resilience and stronger community participation in conserving India’s precious water resources.

Recognising Champions of Water Conservation

The symposium also honoured individuals who have made outstanding contributions towards sustainable water management and environmental leadership.

Shri Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), received the INDIAN PSU Frontline Leadership Excellence Award for his visionary leadership in promoting innovative water sustainability initiatives, particularly the successful implementation of the Coal Neer project.

Shri Nilendu Kumar Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), was conferred the INDIAN PSU Dynamic Leadership Excellence Award for advancing sustainable water management practices across coal mining operations. As he could not attend the ceremony, Ms. Sangeeta, General Manager (Environment), CCL, accepted the award on his behalf.

Shri Sanjay Singh, founder of Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan and widely recognised as the Waterman of Bundelkhand, was honoured with the INDIAN PSU Water Conservation Excellence Award for his extraordinary grassroots contribution to watershed development and community-led water conservation.

The INDIANPSU Aqua Genetic Award was presented to Shri Sanjay Agarwal, General Manager, BCCL, for his exemplary contribution in conceptualising and developing the Coal Neer water treatment and purification plant, which has become a benchmark for sustainable utilisation of mine water.

A Vision for Water Security

Welcoming the distinguished guests, Vivek Avasthi, CEO of White Dolphin Media and Editor-in-Chief of www.indianpsu.com, lauded Coal India Limited’s pioneering efforts in converting polluted mine water into safe drinking water for communities living in water-stressed mining regions.

He observed that initiatives like Coal Neer have the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of mining areas by ensuring access to clean drinking water while simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability. He emphasised that such innovations demonstrate how public sector enterprises can play a transformative role in addressing some of India’s most pressing developmental challenges.

The National Symposium on Water concluded with a collective resolve among policymakers, environmentalists, academicians, industry leaders and social activists to strengthen collaborative efforts for conserving India’s water resources and ensuring water security for future generations.

Concluding the symposium, Vivek Avasthi, CEO of White Dolphin Media and Editor-in-Chief of www.indianpsu.com, said that the National Symposium on Water was conceived not as a one-day event but as the beginning of a nationwide movement for water conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. He announced that White Dolphin Media and indianpsu.com would continue to work with policymakers, public sector enterprises, environmental experts, academic institutions and civil society organisations to build a sustained national campaign for water security. The symposium ended with a collective resolve that this was not the end of a conversation, but the first step towards transforming awareness into action and inspiring a people’s movement to save water and protect India’s natural resources for future generations.