Dear Friends,

As you all know that Jal Biradari is organising a Rashtriya Jal Yatra all over the country to spread the message of Water literacy such as water conservation, water privatisation, Interlinking of rivers and national and state water policies to make pro-poor, people's centred water policies. It has also become essential to keep our river system alive and pure in their natural form. Rashtriya Jal Yatra was started from Gandhi Samadhi, Rajghat, New Delhi on 23rd December 2002, and moved through the state of Haryana, Rajasthan and entered in Gujarat on January 30th 2003. It further started from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad to move towards states in the north. So, far the Yatra has already covered 17 Drought Prone States namely Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttranchal in the first phase, while in second phase starting from Maharashtra on April 3rd 2003, it has moved to Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. In total the yatra has covered approximately 500 villages and 64 cities.

National Jal Sammelan was organised after the end of first phase of yatra at Seva Gram Ashram, Wardha on April 1&2, 2003. As in the second phase the yatra passed through the drought prone states the next National Jal Sammelan is proposed at Shankar Mat, Kanchipuram District, (Tamil Nadu) to share the experience and formulate policy and strategy for the drought prone areas in the country and other water issues.

We are cordially inviting organisations and water activists from all over the country to participate in the Sammelan at the end of second phase of the yatra. We would be honoured if you could kindly grace the occasion by your presence in the Rashtriya Jal Sammelan to be held on May 29th & 30th, 2003 and share the yatra experience and your views on 'Water' Issues with the participants. You are kindly requested to reach Kanchipuram by the evening of May 28, 2003. Tamil Nadu Jal Biradari would arrange accommodation and food. Travel arrangements have to be made by the participating individuals and organisations.

Local contact person: Manager, ShankarMat, Kanchipuram. Tel No.: 04112-222115.

Hope you will send your consent for participating in this Rashtriya Jal Sammelan. As it is extremely important for future National and State Water Policy and Water movement in the country. A line in confirmation will be highly appreciated. Looking forward for an early reply.

With kind regards,

Ambuj Kishore                                           Rajendra Singh
National Coordinator,                                        Chairman, 
Rashtriya Jal Biradari                          Rashtriya Jal Biradari
34/46, Kiran Path,
Mansarovar,Jaipur-302020
Rajasthan.
Telefax:0141-2393178
Email: 

First Session:

10.00-12.00 P.M.

ª Inaugural Session
ª Welcoming and Introduction of Participants and their organisations
ª Relationship of Water and Spirituality- Shri Shankracharya Ji.
ª Constitutional and legal status about the community water rights 
and duties Shri Rajeev Dhavan, Senior Advocate Supreme Court, New Delhi.

Second Session:

12.00-1.30 P.M.

ª Group Discussion on Water Scenario in the Country
- Drought Prone Areas (Chair-Dr. G.D.Aggarwal ji)
- Flood Prone Areas (Chair- Shri Ramaswamy Iyer ji, Ex. Secretary, MoWR, Shri D.K.Mishra ji)
- North Eastern States (Chair- Shri Sunder Lal Bahuguna Ji)  
- Coastal Regions Recharge (Chair-Dr. R.N.Athavale)
- Himalayan Region (Chair- Dr. Vandana Shiva, Navdanya)

1.30-2.30 P.M.  Lunch

Third Session:

2.30-5.00 P.M.

ª State and Agro-ecological Region wise discussion in water conservation (20 Minutes Each)
(Chair: Dr. G.D.Aggarwal ji, Panel Member- Shri Ramaswamy Iyer, ex-Secretary, MoWR
Shri Manmohan Malhoutra (R.G.F), Sunita Narayan (C.S.E.New Delhi), 
Shri D.K.Mishra, Dr. R.N.Athavale, N.G.R.I. Hyderabad)

5.00-8.00 P.M.  Dinner

Fourth Session:

8.00-10.00 P.M.
ª Water Cultural Programme

Date: 30/5/2003

Fifth Session:

9.00-11.00 A.M.

ª River Scenario, Interlinking of Rivers (Chair-Shri Ramaswamy Iyer, Ex. Secretary, MoWR)

Sixth Session:

11.00-12.00 P.M.

ª Group Discussion
- Water Spirituality, Role of Spiritual Leaders in water conservation, Water Warriors, 
  Water Brotherhood, Voluntary Organisations (Shri Manmohan Malhoutra) Social Worker 
  (Shri D.K.Mishra), Government, Politician

Seventh Session:

12.00-2.00 P.M.
ª Feed Back Session, focussed discussions and future strategy planning 
ª Valedictory Session: Sunita Narayan, C.S.E. New Delhi, Key Note Address for future action plan. 

2.00-3.00 P.M.  Lunch

Eighth Session:

3.00-5.00 P.M.

ª National Executive Members meeting