On World Water Day, Development Alternatives organised the District जलUtsav under the जलConnect campaign in collaboration with HCLFoundation at Milak Khandera, Gautam Buddha Nagar. The event brought together over 200 community members, partners, and local leaders to celebrate the revival of village waterbodies and the collective efforts behind them.

Graced by Dr. Charul Yadav, SDM, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Shri Ashok Pal, Block Development Officer, Dadri, along with Dr Santanu Basu, Project Director, HARIT, HCLFoundation, the event highlighted the importance of community-led water conservation. Dr. Yadav appreciated the pond rejuvenation efforts undertaken by Development Alternatives in partnership with HCLFoundation and encouraged the community to sustain these water resources through continued collective action.

The programme reflected strong community participation. Students from Milak Khandera school delivered speeches on water conservation, while young girls presented a performance on the same theme. A nukkad natak and an animated film further captured the journey of the pond’s transformation, making the experience both engaging and reflective.

Community water champions, along with government representatives and partner organisations, were felicitated for their contributions. In a reciprocal gesture, the SDM was also felicitated by the community and the Development Alternatives–HCL team.

The event concluded with a collective जलSankalp, reinforcing the shared commitment to protect and sustain rejuvenated waterbodies.