Latest news with #WorldWaterDay
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM chairs meet as Odisha seeks mutual resolution of Mahanadi dispute
Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at resolving the protracted Mahanadi water dispute, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday, underscoring the necessity of mutual resolution with Chhattisgarh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CM highlighted the sluggish progress at the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal and advocated for direct discussions between and Chhattisgarh, with the Centre playing a supportive role. "The Central Water Commission can offer technical assistance, which could pave the way for resolving this long-standing issue and strengthen inter-state relations," Majhi said. This meeting follows earlier discussions in Feb at the All India State Water Resources Ministers' Conference in Rajasthan and in March during World Water Day in Bhubaneswar, where Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai and Majhi stressed the importance of a collaborative approach. High-level officials from both states continue to engage in dialogue, aiming for a breakthrough. Sources said besides chief secretary Manoj Ahuja, present advocate general Pitambar Acharya was among others present in the meeting, indicating that the govt is exploring solutions through mutual understanding, instead of fighting the case legally. During the tribunal's last hearing on July 18, Acharya informed the tribunal that informal discussions were ongoing between the two states to resolve the dispute. A govt official mentioned that Odisha govt aims to reach a consensus with the neighbouring state on key issues before the next hearing, scheduled for Aug 2. In response to a complaint from Odisha in 2016, the central govt had established the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on March 12, 2018. In its petition, Odisha had argued that Chhattisgarh initiated several projects upstream of Hirakud dam, which could significantly impact downstream flow, particularly during the dry season. These projects could retain a substantial portion of the non-monsoon water flow, affecting the ecologically sensitive coastal and delta areas of the Mahanadi.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Odisha CM seeks amicable resolution of Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh
Bhubaneswar, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said that the ongoing dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh over the distribution of Mahanadi water could be amicably resolved through negotiations between both states with the Centre's support, an official statement said. Odisha CM seeks amicable resolution of Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh Majhi, in a high-level meeting held at the state secretariat Lok Seva Bhavan, emphasised the resolution of the ongoing Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. "The chief minister said that since the efforts being made to resolve the problem in the Central Water Commission are progressing slowly, it can be amicably resolved through negotiations between both states with the support of the central government," Majhi was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the CMO. Stating that the Central Water Commission can provide technical support in the negotiations, Majhi said this will resolve the long-standing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh and enhance the relations between the two states. On the sidelines of the All India State Water Resources Ministers' Conference held in Rajasthan in February and on the occasion of the World Water Day held in Bhubaneswar in March, the Mahanadi water dispute was discussed between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai and his Odisha counterpart Mohan Charan Majhi. Both the chief ministers emphasised resolving the issue, it said. Wednesday's meeting reported that discussions are underway between officials of the two states. Apart from Majhi, the meeting was attended by Advocate General Patrambar Acharya, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources Department Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Saswata Mishra, and senior officers and engineers of the Water Resources Department. The Mahanadi dispute was presently under the consideration of a tribunal. The Odisha government has alleged that Chhattisgarh has blocked the free flow of water in the Mahanadi River by constructing several barrages on the upstream. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
13 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Odisha CM seeks amicable resolution of Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh
Bhubaneswar, Jul 23 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said that the ongoing dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh over the distribution of Mahanadi water could be amicably resolved through negotiations between both states with the Centre's support, an official statement said. Majhi, in a high-level meeting held at the state secretariat Lok Seva Bhavan, emphasised the resolution of the ongoing Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. 'The chief minister said that since the efforts being made to resolve the problem in the Central Water Commission are progressing slowly, it can be amicably resolved through negotiations between both states with the support of the central government," Majhi was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the CMO. Stating that the Central Water Commission can provide technical support in the negotiations, Majhi said this will resolve the long-standing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh and enhance the relations between the two states. On the sidelines of the All India State Water Resources Ministers' Conference held in Rajasthan in February and on the occasion of the World Water Day held in Bhubaneswar in March, the Mahanadi water dispute was discussed between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai and his Odisha counterpart Mohan Charan Majhi. Both the chief ministers emphasised resolving the issue, it said. Wednesday's meeting reported that discussions are underway between officials of the two states. Apart from Majhi, the meeting was attended by Advocate General Patrambar Acharya, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources Department Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Saswata Mishra, and senior officers and engineers of the Water Resources Department. The Mahanadi dispute was presently under the consideration of a tribunal. The Odisha government has alleged that Chhattisgarh has blocked the free flow of water in the Mahanadi River by constructing several barrages on the upstream. PTI AAM AAM ACD view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 22:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Radio Charminar completes a decade in Hyderabad
'Hello, Salaam, Namaste Hyderabad… This is RJ Asim aur aap sun rahe hain Hyderabad Express mere saath, main aapka dost. Baatein hogi kaheen saari, aur bahut saare gaane aap sunne ke liye.... (This is RJ Asim and you are listening to Hyderabad Express with me, your friend)'' That is how radio jockey Asim Abedi, who took over as RJ eight years ago greets his listeners from the recording studio at Radio Charminar — Dil Se Hyderabadi, a community radio station tucked away in the heart of the city. On the second floor of the Ahle Bait Institute in Yakutpura, this modest yet lively station was launched in October 2015 by Hasan Rehmatullah and his son Zain. Sharing space with the bustling campus of Ahle Bait School and Junior College, Radio Charminar will celebrate its 10th anniversary this October. Raising awareness Operating at 107.8 MHz, Radio Charminar broadcasts programmes that educate, inform, entertain and raise awareness — all within a seven-kilometre radius. 'Our focus is on topics like health, women's empowerment, and preserving Hyderabad's history and food culture,' says Shaik Irfan Ahmed, system administrator and scheduling head, who has been with the station since its inception. Over the years, the station has tackled everything from child marriage awareness to reviving fading folk traditions. One of their standout shows, Dholak ke Geet, spotlighted wedding folk songs and found a wider audience on their YouTube channel. The platform gives voice to diverse local communities. Whether it is live sessions in community halls or expert-led studio recordings, the goal is to 'discuss and disseminate,' says RJ Asim, station manager and programming head. Their talk shows, often sponsored by UNICEF to mark days like World Health Day or World Water Day, are interactive and community-led. During the COVID-19 lockdown, their call-in show became a lifeline. 'Our former RJ Nazaakat lived on-site and anchored the shows,' Irfan recalls. 'People would say, 'Chidiya bhi par nahin maar sakti thi, magar aapne humein zinda rakha' — even birds couldn't fly freely, but you kept us alive through entertainment.' While the radio tower's transmitter has a 200-watt capacity, they are licensed for 50 watts, reaching listeners across Talabkatta, Riyasat Nagar, Malakpet, Chaderghat, DRDL, Saidabad, and even as far as Shamshabad in car radios. One popular morning show, Salaam Hyderabad by RJ Saaniya, blends health, lifestyle, and personal reflections. 'We have talked about everything — from breaking the habit of overthinking to why kids don't respect parents anymore. Even something like nail-biting gets people calling in,' says Saaniya, who joined after a 16-year stint with ETV Urdu Two of their RJs — Neetu from Sikkim and Dolly from Jaipur — host weekly shows remotely. Both army wives, they joined the station while posted in Hyderabad and stayed on even after relocating. Finances remain tight, with only government ads and limited funding. But as Radio Charminar approaches its 10-year milestone, the team remains hopeful. One plan includes reviving Guzishta Hyderabad, a beloved show by station director Allama Aijaz Farrukh, with a nostalgic focus on Hyderabad.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Integrated water management crucial for growth, climate resilience: Fadillah
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's ability to support its fast-growing digital economy including the rapid expansion of water-intensive data centres hinges on strengthening the country's water infrastructure and implementing long-term, integrated water resource planning, says Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. 'Water is now considered the new oil. It's a strategic resource,' he said, stressing the need for a stable and sufficient water supply not only for the public but also to attract high-impact investments like data centres. These facilities rely heavily on water to cool their systems, and demand is expected to rise as global firms increasingly choose Malaysia as a regional hub. Fadillah warned that growing pressure from climate change and industrial demand could strain existing water infrastructure if a coordinated approach is not adopted. 'This situation places added pressure on water systems, which are not yet fully equipped to handle extreme and unpredictable weather events. Without a comprehensive and integrated approach, the risk of clean water supply disruptions will continue to rise, ultimately affecting public well-being and national development,' he said at the Malaysia Water Forum 2025 today. He outlined three key approaches to accelerate Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based. A comprehensive approach means managing all aspects of water—from supply and quality to irrigation, flooding, and ecosystem conservation—holistically. Inclusivity involves participation from all stakeholders: government, private sector, academia, civil society, and grassroots communities. He cited the 2025 National-level World Water Day celebration as an example of inclusive advocacy that brought together students, religious leaders, civil servants and industry players on a shared platform. The evidence-based approach, he added, requires decisions and programmes to be guided by scientific data, impact assessments, and clear performance indicators. While Malaysia has made strides with policies such as the National Water Resources Policy 2012 and the National Water Policy 2024, Fadillah acknowledged persistent gaps in implementation. He pointed to fragmented agency roles, limited enforcement capacity, underfunded infrastructure, and a general lack of public awareness and technical expertise as barriers to meaningful reform. Among key past efforts, he highlighted the formation of the Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) in 1993 to promote stakeholder collaboration, and the establishment of the Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) in 1999 as a model for state-level water governance. Malaysia's commitment also extends to the global level, with Fadillah reaffirming the country's support for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially SDG 6 on clean water access and SDG 17 on cross-sector partnerships. 'More than two billion people globally still lack access to clean and safe water,' he said, underlining the urgency of building a resilient governance model that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability and public welfare. - Bernama
