World Water Day Day observed at Rourkela Steel Plant

“We must be conscious of our responsibility to preserve water which is becoming scarce,” said, Atanu Bhowmick, Director In-Charge Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) while delivering his address as the Chief Guest at the World Water Day Celebrations today.

A K Kundu, ED (Mines), S R Suryawanshi, ED (Works) and A K Pradhan, ED (Projects) were also present on the dais in the programme organised by Water Management Department of RSP at Gopabandhu Auditorium. C R Mohapatra, CGM In charge (MM & Marketing), A K Behuria, CGM (F&A), and many other Chief General Managers, Heads of Departments, other senior officers and a large number of employees of Works area attended the ceremony.
Deliberating on the importance of water in our day to day life, DIC said that the presence of water is the indicator of the presence of life and that we are celebrating Water Day along with the rest of the world to underscore its importance for our sustenance. Pointing out that water is no longer available in abundance, Bhowmick exhorted all to join in the efforts of RSP for reducing water consumption and to strive to achieve Zero Discharge by recycling waste water.
Emphasising upon everyone’s role in water conservation he urged the gathering to prevent wastage of water and make judicious use in domestic, public and industrial arena as well as on festive occasions. In his concluding remarks the DIC exhorted the gathering to create awareness on judicious use of water.
Speaking on the occasion Suryawanshi said that the observance of World Water Day is nothing but an opportunity to prepare everyone to conserve water for future use. He urged everyone to work towards reducing water based discrimination.
Highlighting the five elements of nature Pradhan emphasised upon the need of preservation and conservation. He exhorted everyone to look for nature based solutions to meet the future water challenges.
The dignitaries began the proceedings by lighting the ceremonial lamp amidst chanting of Vedic Shlokas by S. Panda, SOST, Water Management Department. They also presented prizes to the winners of the various competitions organized for the employees and students to mark the occasion. The events included quiz, painting and elocution competition for students and quiz competition for RSP employees. Mohit Panda, of Ispat English Medium School, the first prize winner of elocution competition, also spoke on the theme.
I.Rajan, CGM (Utilities & Environment) delivered the welcome address and gave an insight into the theme for this year which is ‘Groundwater: Making The Invisible Visible.’ Debajit Rabha, GM Incharge (WMD) proposed a vote of thanks. Deepak Garg, Assistant Manager (WMD) coordinated the function.
It is to be noted that 22nd March is being celebrated as World Water Day as per a resolution passed by the UN in 1992. In RSP it is being observed since 2004. RSP has the credit of being the first in entire SAIL to formulate and adopt a Water Policy and conduct first External Water Audit.