The RGICS Summer School on “Water Crisis and Sustainable Solutions” made it clear: India’s water crisis is urgent, complex, and needs immediate attention. The program’s key takeaway was that tackling water scarcity, pollution, and inefficient management requires practical solutions like rainwater harvesting, water-efficient farming, and community-driven initiatives. It also emphasized that real change can only happen when people at the grassroots level are actively involved and informed.
Held from June 22 to July 20, 2020, the Summer School was organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (RGICS) as part of their ‘Sadbhavana with Nature’ initiative to honor Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Unlike typical summer schools, this one was hands-on, bringing together curious young minds (ages 16-20) from across India to study water-related problems and come up with practical solutions.
The program kicked off with four engaging online sessions on topics like how the water cycle works, India’s growing water crisis, pollution issues, and sustainable ways to manage water resources. But the real magic happened when participants took their learning to the field. Armed with research worksheets, they explored their own communities to better understand local water challenges.
Reports poured in from places as varied as Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. The findings were eye-opening: polluted rivers and lakes, groundwater depletion, drying water sources, and inadequate management systems were common themes. But the participants didn’t stop at identifying problems; they proposed real solutions—rainwater harvesting, better irrigation practices, cleaning campaigns, and community awareness initiatives.
The program proved something powerful: Young people, when given the right tools and knowledge, can make a real difference. Their commitment and fresh perspectives offer hope that our water crisis can be tackled with both urgency and creativity.
Keywords: Water Crisis, Sustainable Solutions, Hydrological Cycle, Water Pollution, Rainwater Harvesting, Groundwater Depletion, Field Research, Water Conservation, Community Engagement, Public Awareness
Water Crisis and Sustainable Solutions: RGICS Summer School
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