Washington D.C. : USINPAC recently hosted a reception for a visiting delegation of natural resources economists from India. The delegation included dedicated members with impressive track records in mobilizing innovative and sustainable solutions to address the vital natural resource water, in India.
Attendees to the reception included Mr. Sandeep Dixit, Program Manager, Centers for International Projects (CIPT), which brings water-saving technologies and programs for climate resilience to farmers; Ms. Bhavana Rao Kuchimanchi, PhD, Regional Manager, Watershed Organization Trust, Hyderabad, which provides vulnerability evaluation and helps communities with water conservation, sustainable agriculture and livestock management; Mr. Ranjit Kumar, Technology Manager, Global Business Inroads, which seeks to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene to people with a lofty aim to distribute clean water throughout India by 2028; Mr. Rohan Kuriyan, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Balanoor Plantation and Industries Ltd., which assists tea, coffee and rubber plantations with water pricing and management techniques to improve growing conditions; Ms. Deepa Maggo, Manager, Water, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which provides expertise on alternative energy use, sustainability planning and water demand management; Dr. Sacchidananda Mukherjee, Associate Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), a top policy expert on public finance, water pricing and environmental management. Other leading Indian American scientists from the surrounding region, specializing in areas such as climate variability, environmental economics, and satellite remote sensing of parameters, also participated.
Discussions centred around on the importance of conservation of water which is a depleting resource, it’s pricing as well as its management and utilization in an efficient and economical way. Education of not just the farmers and the plantation owners of this important resource but also the general public was said to be a priority. There were concerns expressed in the efficacy of the data being gathered, the lack of standardized equipment used as well as the reticence to share any data collected with the international community. Mr.Puri, Chairman of USINPAC, commended the delegation members for their impressive and outstanding work. When I see young people with so much energy and drive to bring intelligent solutions in solving persistent issues that surround the use of water and other vital natural resources, he said, I have much hope for the future of India. He assured participants that USINPAC would continue to foster dialogue and support for all such important endeavours..
About USINPAC:
The U.S.-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents the interests of more than 3.2 million Indian-Americans. USINPAC leverages the smart power of the community to bring about outcomes that matter at federal, state and local levels of government and provides support to candidates and lawmakers who share the community’s concerns. Founded in 2002, USINPAC has a successful track record of supporting and opposing legislation independently, as well as working with issue-based coalitions. USINPAC proudly serves as a resource for Congress, the Administration and for Indian-Americans at home and abroad. For more information, please visitwww.usinpac.com for more details.