Dikshit inaugurates water week

New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated Jal Tarang a week-long cultural extravaganza on the theme of water in Delhi Haat, here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the festival is an attempt to inform and involve all stakeholders and public into the movement to conserve water.

"I am pleased to be a part of this" Ms Dikshit said.

The event was organized by the Forum for Organized Resource Conservation and Enhancement (FORCE) in association with Coca-Cola India. The festival aims to motivate people to save water, share water and re-establish connection with water.

"Water is something which we can conserve,'' Chairman and CEO of Coca Cola company E Neville Isdell said, adding "the Government , NGOs and society can work together towards water conservation.'' Also present in the function was United Nations Information Director Shalini Dewan, who said that every 20 second a child dies of water borne diseases in Asia, thus the need of adequate sanitation is extremely necessary.

She added " Lack of sanitation leads to lack of education among girl child in rural India.'' As a part of the celebrations of the world water day 2008, Coca Cola India has extended the celebration to a week where it would be launching or dedicating 52 water conservation projects across India.

President of FORCE said, " Every citizen of the country can make a difference through responsible action coupled with awareness.'' UNI LPB RP RK2225