Good health depends on pure drinking water but its availability is difficult in many coastal and remote villages. So, the GHCL Foundation decided to intervene and address the issue. Working in association with WASMO (Water & Sanitation Management Organisation) an institution of the Government of Guajrat, GHCL Foundation initiated a project ‘NAL SE JAL’, to insure the accessibility of pure drinking water in every household.
Village Alidhra is 23 kms away from GHCL’s Soda Ash plant at Sutrapada. This village did not have access to clean drinking water. The worst affected were the farmers living on the outskirts and the landless farming labours in the village. GHCL Foundation conducted meetings with the Panchayat but the members did not seem interested.
Harshaben was the elected Sarpanch (Pradhan) of the village Panchayat but her husband was the acting Sarpanch on her behalf. However, he passed away in an accident. In order to proceed further, the CSR team approached Harshaben and requested her involvement. She understood and said “This concerns the women of the village and not the men because the women are facing the crisis”. With her active interest, a Mahila Pani Samiti was created in the Panchayat.
GHCL’s CSR team trained and empowered the women of the Pani Samiti during many sessions, exposure visits, technical trainings etc. They conducted awareness about quality drinking water and its effect on our health. They also involved students by conducted drawing and essay competitions, holding debates and rallies to increase awareness about quality drinking water and its availability in the village.
