By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Rishikesh, 1 Jan: Pi-Lo Shudh Pani Seva Foundation, an NPO working towards serving clean RO drinking water to the masses, in partnership with Parmarth Niketan, the Rishikesh based ashram working for the welfare of all, and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, the world’s first ever interfaith alliance for improved WASH for all, inaugurated its smart water ATM at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi today. It is a start to the ‘Plastic Free India’ resolution for the nation. The smart water ATM was inaugurated by MoS, Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma along with Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President, Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), and the Secretary & DG/ADG of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Upon identifying that access to potable drinking water is still a far cry across India, Pi-Lo and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance decided to work towards eliminating its two main causes – availability and affordability of drinking water. To cater to this immediate concern of common people, Team Parmarth PiLo has successfully installed water ATMs at various ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) locations in India such as the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Qutub Minar and Old Fort. They recently achieved another milestone by providing a Smart Water ATM at Humayun’s Tomb. A crowd queued at the water ATM to experience the goodness of pure drinking water.
Commenting on this initiative of Pi-Lo, Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma said, “The installation of Pi-Lo Smart water ATM at Humayun’ Tomb is symbolic of striving ahead towards supporting the mission of Swachh Bharat – Swasth Bharat as it helps in reducing the use of plastic bottles which amount to major plastic waste generation in India. In order to move ahead and propagate this mission, Archeological Survey of India and Pi-Lo should install more such Smart Water ATMs at 100 Adarsh ASI monuments and crowded locations before the forthcoming summer season.”
Swami Chidanand Saraswati added, “When we think only about ‘what for me’ then our resolutions are merely about our limited self, but when we think ‘what through me’ then our resolutions are for our planet and the well being of all. This is the culture that the Ministry of Culture is celebrating today on the first day of the New Year by resolving for a Plastic Free India campaign. However, this should not be the endeavour of one Ministry or even one man but the mission of everyone. Let’s us all connect and pledge to make a plastic free and zero waste India. In order to do this we must also provide greater education, awareness and empower people to know that they are an integral and vital part of the solution.”
Jatin Ahlawat, Co-Founder, Pi-Lo Shudh Pani Seva Foundation said, “In the future as well, we will continue to install more Smart Water ATMs in pan India locations to ensure drinking water will no more be a far cry for common people.”
Before the summer 100 iconic monuments would be provided with free potable drinking water for all visitors.