Udaipur: Senior physician and water conservationist Dr P.C. Jain called for organising “Water Donation Camps” on the lines of blood donation camps, stressing the urgent need to replenish rapidly depleting groundwater resources.
Addressing newly admitted students during the induction programme at RNT Medical College, Dr Jain said, “Just as a patient receives blood after relatives first donate it, the same principle should apply to groundwater. Blood itself contains around 90 per cent water, and today our groundwater reserves are nearing depletion. If we replenish groundwater now, it will be able to support us in the future.”
He suggested that Water Donation Camps should be organised in residential colonies and that buildings extracting groundwater should be required to install rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems. He pointed out that extensive paving inside and outside buildings has blocked many natural pathways through which rainwater could otherwise recharge groundwater.
The programme began with ‘Jal Aarti’, featuring the prayer “Om Jai Jal Dev Hare, Peedit Jan Sankat Jaldi Door Kare”, followed by participants greeting one another with ‘Jal Pranam’. Dr Jain emphasised that amid the city’s ongoing water concerns, saving water every day and installing rainwater harvesting systems should become a priority.
A short play titled ‘Kaash Recharge Kar Liya Hota’ highlighted the consequences of failing to recharge groundwater. The play depicted a situation in which household water runs out, leading to conflict between family members, while nobody is willing to fetch water from a hand pump. The family eventually realises that recharging their tubewell could have prevented the crisis.
Through a presentation, Dr Jain also discussed global water concerns and cited reports from international organisations on water availability and pollution. He urged students to change their approach towards water conservation from today itself. Students were encouraged to participate in water-related slogans and activities promoting conservation.
The session concluded with a ‘Jal Nritya’ performed by the newly admitted students to the water-conservation song ‘Jal Hi Jeevan Hai’, written by retired IAS officer M. Mohan Rao, former Bhopal Commissioner.
Focus on De-addiction
The second session focused on de-addiction and substance-abuse prevention. Dr P.C. Jain explained the “Six D” approach for protecting oneself and others from addiction. He also encouraged the students to download the ‘Addiction Rx’ app, which provides information and support related to addiction prevention and treatment.
A short play titled ‘Drinking Driving’ demonstrated the potentially serious consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and reinforced the message of responsible behaviour.
Dr Jain also used a presentation to explain the impact of substance abuse, particularly among women. He said that although men and women are legally equal, substance abuse can have serious health consequences, and its effects during pregnancy can adversely affect the physical and mental development of children.
Another play, ‘Nashe Ke Nazare’, presented the symptoms associated with withdrawal from different substances. The performance concluded with a depiction of the loss of a family member due to substance abuse and the grief experienced by relatives.
Dr Jain also led the students in a collective anti-addiction song, reinforcing the message of staying away from intoxicating substances.
Dr Jain Announces Body Donation
Dr P.C. Jain, an MBBS graduate of the 1968 batch of RNT Medical College, announced his decision to donate his body for medical education after his death.
Expressing his wish, he said that he wanted to dedicate his body to help train future doctors and, in doing so, repay his debt to the medical profession.
Principal Dr Rahul Jain emphasised the need to organise awareness programmes on de-addiction at regular intervals.
The programme was introduced by Dr Pallavi Dubey. Members of the organising committee, including Dr Pooja Dhabhai, Dr Pallavi Dubey and Dr Nirali Salgia, appreciated the initiative focused on water conservation and de-addiction.
Students including Manasvi Chawla, Yashansi Singhal, Nidhi Gupta, Nikita Maldhani, Mahi Singh, Rohit Chaudhary, Anuj and Sankalp Meena participated in the various performances and activities.