Jalagam 2.0, a national-level workshop, promoted stakeholder convergence through discussions on community-led rural water security at Bikaner Zila Udyog Sangh on March 10, 2025. The event, enabled by the CSR initiative of DCB Bank and NIRDPR (National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj) as the knowledge partner, brought together experts, policymakers, practitioners, and community voices to explore sustainable water management solutions.
Regional Workshops Expand
The first series (2023-24) held regional workshops across four locations, stressing community adaptability and sustenance mechanisms addressing water and climate change in Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. This year, the workshops travelled to Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and Bikaner in Rajasthan, furthering the dialogue and conversations around water security.
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Bikaner Workshop Plenary
The Bikaner workshop opened with a Plenary, featuring insights from Ramesh Saran, CEO, Urmul Trust, Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor, NIRD&PR, and Arti M. Grover, S M Sehgal Foundation.
Panel on Water Management
Moderated by Salahuddin Saiphy, S M Sehgal Foundation, with esteemed panelists such as Padma Shri awardee Laxman Singh, Gram Vikas Nav Yuvak Mandal Lapodia (GVNML), Umendra Dutt, Kheti Virasat Mission, and Lata Kachhava, SURE, the first panel discussion focused on addressing the knowledge gap between traditional and modern water management practices.
Community Open House
Further ahead, Dilip Singh Bidawat, Unnati Foundation, moderated an Open House providing a platform for community representatives to voice their concerns and propose or share solutions for water security.
Challenges & Opportunities
Following this, the second panel discussion moderated by Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya (NIRD&PR) looked at challenges and opportunities in water security, featuring Anshul Ojha, Desert Resource Centre, and Dr. Indira Khurana, Indian Himalayan River Basins Council, as experts.
(India CSR)
