New Delhi/Rajouri, November 18, 2025 – In a prestigious ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the inaugural Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to community-driven water conservation under the flagship ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign. Among the distinguished recipients was Abhishek Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, who was felicitated for his visionary leadership in transforming Rajouri into a national model for groundwater recharge and sustainable water management.
The JSJB initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 6, 2024, embodies the ethos of “Jan Shakti for Jal Shakti,” fostering a whole-of-society approach to combat water scarcity through artificial recharge structures and community participation.
Under Sharma’s stewardship, Rajouri achieved remarkable milestones, including the geo-tagging and uploading of over 4,214 water conservation structures on the JSJB portal. These encompass 132 Amrit Sarovars, 894 ponds, 510 bowlis (traditional stepwells), 2,270 rainwater harvesting tanks, and 408 dugwells, positioning the district as the national topper in Zone 5 (covering hilly and northeastern regions) and securing a ₹2 crore cash award earlier this year.
President Murmu, while conferring the awards alongside the 6th National Water Awards, commended the collective efforts that have led to the construction of more than 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures nationwide since the initiative’s inception. “Water is the lifeblood of civilization,” the President remarked, highlighting the need for collaborative action across governments, industries, and communities to adopt circular water economies and achieve zero-liquid discharge goals. She praised Sharma’s team for their resilience in overcoming geographical challenges in the hilly terrain of Rajouri, turning the district into a beacon of replicable best practices.
Abhishek Sharma, an IAS officer of the 2017 batch, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the Rajouri administration. “This honour is a testament to the unwavering spirit of our local communities, panchayats, and dedicated officials who have embraced the ‘Where It Falls, When It Falls’ mantra,” Sharma stated. He emphasized ongoing initiatives like desilting khuls (traditional irrigation channels) under MGNREGA and integrating Jal Shakti Abhiyan activities to enhance water flow and recharge. Earlier in June 2025, Rajouri had clinched the 2nd national rank in the hilly districts category, a recognition that fueled further momentum leading to today’s accolade.
The event, attended by Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil and other dignitaries, focuses on the government’s commitment to water security amid climate uncertainties. With over 13 states categorized into five zones for evaluation, the awards spotlight districts like Rajouri that have converged resources for scalable models, inspiring similar efforts across India.
As India strides towards a water-secure future, DC Sharma’s recognition serves as a clarion call for grassroots innovation. Rajouri’s success story not only boosts local morale but also reinforces the national narrative of sustainable development, ensuring that every drop counts for generations to come.
