PRESS & MEDIA

Guardian has convened World Water Day – 2009 together with water credit borrower’s meet on 23rd March 2009 in order to have sharing of experience from the borrowers about water credit and its impact in the field of urban and rural.

This was the first event celebrated by Guardian after its incorporation with separate legal entity. Guardian has invited eminent personalities from Donor agencies, Bankers, NGO and members from AWASH committees facilitated by Gramalaya NGO and borrowers under water credit through Guardian.

It includes Mr. J. David Foster, Advisor, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, Mr. Keith Stamm, Ms. Heather Arney and Ms. Nicole from WaterPartners International, USA, Mr. L.V.S, Lakshminarayanan, Chief Regional Manager, Mr. Janardhan and Mr. Ravi, Managers of Indian Overseas Bank, Mr. Venkateswaran, Senior Manager, Allahabad Bank, representative from Tamilnadu Water supply And Drainage Board, Mr. S. Damodaran, Country Director, WPI India Office, Mr. S. Kumarasamy, Chairman, Guardian, Mrs. J. Geetha, Executive Director, Gramalaya NGO besides Guardian Executive Director and staff.

The dignitaries on the dais praised the role of water credit initiatives undertook by Guardian and how it has reached the clienteles for the promotion of household water and sanitation facilities. On banker’s part, they appreciated the efforts of Guardian for noble cause and proud of being supported Guardian through loan component. They wanted to collaborate with Guardian in future for on lending to the women communities. Besides water credit, they also insisted the participating members to avail water credit and play as a catalyst for others who do not know the scheme. Speakers have put forth the request for conserving water, preservation of water, handling of water, water quality testing and monitoring and safe hygiene practices.

This event was attended by around 160 members that include members from AWASH committee formed by Gramalaya NGO and borrowers of Guardian. Some of the clienteles have shared their experience and briefed on the benefits availed by way of water credit initiatives by Guardian that relieved from the burden of time saving in water collections, quarrelling among neighbors during water collection, concentrate more on children’s welfare, education, livelihood promotion activities, safe hygienic practices that reduced diseases etc., and it was very useful for their homely needs, they added. These experience sharing were video documented by the agency.

The dignitaries have been presented with memento honoring their participation and felicitations in the event.

Dated: 25.03.09

Executive Director,
Guardian