TURA, April 22: Hundreds of sports enthusiasts on Friday, participated in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Run, which was organized by the District Sports Office, Ampati, under the aegis of Jal Jeevan Mission, PHE Department, as part of the campaign to encourage water conservation practices such as recharging of ground water, water harvesting and judicious use of available water among the residents of the district.
The Run, which covered a total of 10 kilometres, was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner, SK Marak at Ampati Students’ Field in the presence of District Sports Officer, SR Marak, PHE officials and other district officials.
Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on August 15, 2019, and its objectives are to provide functional household tap connections (FHTC) to every household with potable drinking water of adequate quantity and of prescribed quality on a regular and long-term basis, to provide drinking water supply to every public institution, viz. schools, community halls, Anganwadi centres, Health centres etc; to improve the health of girls and women by bringing down the drudgery of fetching water, reduce drop out among adolescent girls, ensure more personal time to learn and educate themselves and for the economic activities, and improve overall health and socio-economic conditions of rural population.
Addressing the participants briefly before the flag off, the Deputy Commissioner said that in South West Garo Hills district there is less surface water and water for human use is mostly drawn from the underground sources.
He hence called upon the participants to disseminate awareness to practice water conservation, make judicious use of available water and to develop a sense of ownership of the water supply being provided under Jal Jeevan Mission.
The results of the run are as follows – Boys’ category – 1st Prize was secured by Batsrang A Sangma, 2nd prize by Witnar A Sangma and 3rd prize by Betnar A Sangma – all hailing from Tebronggre village, West Garo Hills.
On the other hand, in Girls’ category, Smile Orchid . Momin of Dakopgre Tura bagged the 1st prize, Rikmatchi G Momin of Asinagre village got the 2nd prize and Sengbarina D Sangma of Chipra took the 3rd prize.
Meanwhile, Topon M Marak (61) of Dakopgre Tura was adjudged the oldest participant while 12-year-old Griksaldo Marak of Chengkompara, Ampati was the youngest participant.