SIRD observes World Water Day

GANGTOK, 23 Mar: The Communication & Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) of State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) observed World Water Day 2014 in partnership with WWF-India, Khangchendzonga Landscape Programme and supported by GIZ-India and Tata Housing, at SIRD, South Sikkim on 22 March.

The programme saw the participation of teachers from all the four districts, Panchayat and SHG members from Deythang GPU, Field Facilitators, NGOs and students from SICB, Jorethang SSS, Pipalay SS and St. Francis School. The events included poetry, debate and quiz competitions, book release, launch of SIRD Zero Waste Project, photo and comic exhibitions, etc based around the central theme of water.

A press release informs that about 300 persons participated in the event, which started with an introduction to the day’s events and importance of World Water Day and Zero Waste by Director, SIRD, Suchitra Rasaily. Secretary, RMDD, DR Nepal was the chief guest for the day while SD Dhakal [Chief Administrator-SICB], PN Tamang [President-Sikkim Academy] and Roshan Rai [Project Officer-DLR Prerna, Darjeeling] judged the competitions.

Book on “Spring of Life-An educational resource for schools’’ by WWF-India was released on the day. The RMDD Secretary along with other dignitaries, inaugurated the SIRD Zero Waste Project. This was followed by Photo Exhibition of Sikkim Dhara Vikas/Springshed Development sponsored by MGNREGA Cell, RMDD, GoS and Grassroot Comic Exhibition on Water & Sanitation developed for World Water Day during a workshop organized by CCDU-SIRD in collaboration with India Water Portal from 19-21 March.

The above inauguration and exhibition was followed by release of Handbook on Dhara Vikas by GIZ-India. National Coordinator for GIZ CCA-NER, Dr. Indrani Phukan who was especially present for the release, gave a brief introduction on the handbook and thanked their partners, especially MGNREG Cell, RMDD, GoS, for making it possible, the release adds.