A webinar on Virtual Water was organized by Partners in Prosperity in association with MRIIRS recently. The event was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation.
Virtual Water is defined as the water that is embedded in commodities. The volume of water that is needed to produce some unit agricultural or industrial product is termed as virtual water. Transboundary transfer of virtual water is a global issue and hotly debated now. The issue of virtual water is an important point of discussion in India as it is diabolically related to groundwater overexploitation.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. K. R. Viswanathan, Chairman PnP. The inaugural address was delivered by Prof Sanjay Srivastava, VC, MRIIRS. The keynote address was delivered by eminent speakers like Ms. Neelima Khetan, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, Ms. Francesca Harris, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Mr. Sunil Kumar, Member Central Ground Water Authority, Sh. S. Vijayshankar, Founder Member, Samaj Pragati Sahayog.
Mr. Vinod Kaul, Executive Director, All India Rice Exporters Association was present during the discussion. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Manab Chakraborty, CEO PnP. The entire event was well moderated by Dr. Dipankar Saha, Chair-Prof. CAWTM, MRIIRS.
The webinar saw a footfall of a wide set of audience. Many luminaries from water resources exploration, development, management, and regulation in India were present and took part in the discussion, like Mr. S. Gupta- Member, Punjab Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Mr. Kulkarni- Secretary, Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Mr. A Bandopadhyay- Executive Director NAM S & T Centre, Mr. R. Baruah- Ex CEO Better Cotton Ltd., Dr. D K Singh- Ex Eng-in-Chief and Director JUDCO.
The event was supported by the team from the Centre for Advanced Water Technology and Management in MRIIRS where Prof Arunangsu Mukherjee and Prof Sarita Sachdev extended all help.