Paani Foundation Announces the Launch of Satyamev Jayate Water Cup 2018

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, January 12, 2018:  After receiving an overwhelming response in 2016 and 2017 from the people of Maharashtra, Paani Foundation today announced the launch of the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup, 2018. Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Aamir Khan & Kiran Rao, Founder, Paani Foundation, & Mr. Satyajit Bhatkal, CEO, Paani Foundation,were present on this occasion.

Paani Foundation is an initiative set up by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao.  It has been working since the year 2016 to create a people’s movement for drought-free Maharashtra.

This year the competition tenure for Satyamev Jayate Water Cup is from 8th April to 22nd May 2018. The top three villages will get a cash prize of Rs. 75 lakhs, Rs. 50 lakhs and Rs. 40 lakhs respectively. In addition, the top village from each taluka will get a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs. The total prize money which the villages stand to win in the competition is nearly Rs. Ten crores.

Satyamev Jayate Water Cup is a competition between different villages to see who can do the best work for watershed management and water conservation in the period of the competition. As part of the competition, Paani Foundation will train the villagers in the science of watershed development. These villagers will then participate in the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup. The 45-day long competition involves ‘Shramdan,’ (voluntary labour) in building important structures and thus, water storage capacities. Every revenue village in the selected talukas is eligible to participate. Participation is based on self-selection and the application form needs to be sent by the Gram Panchayat.

A total of 1,321 villages from 30 talukas took part in the second edition of Satyamev Jayate Water Cup competition and created water storage potential of 8,361 crore litres of water! A small Adivasi Village, Kakaddara from Arvi taluka of Wardha won the Water Cup, 2017.

This year the competition has been extended to 75 talukas in 24 districts of Maharashtra.  

Every village in the selected talukas is eligible to participate and has been given Aamir Khan's signature invitation for this purpose. A grand photo exhibition that explains the journey and purpose of the Water Cup was organized in close conjunction with the government of Maharashtra in all 75 talukas and has been attended by lakhs of villagers and students.

The entry form is in two parts. Over 7,000 villages have submitted Entry Form Part 1 so far. The second part of the form requires the village to hold a gram sabha and select 5 participants for the four day training conducted by Paani Foundation. The last date for submitting the completed entry form Part 2 is 31st January 2018. Paani Foundation extends a warm invitation to all the villages in the selected talukas to complete the entry process and begin their journey to water and prosperity.

The names of the 75 talukas eligible to participate in Satyamev Jayate Water Cup 2018 are:

North Maharashtra Region:

District: Jalgaon, Taluka:  Amalner, Parola

District: Nandurbar, Taluka: Shahada, Nandurbar

District: Dhule, Taluka: Dhule, Sindhkheda

District: Nashik, Taluka: Chandwad, Sinnar

District: Ahmednagar, Taluka:  Jamkhed, Patharadi, Ahmednagar, Parner, Karjat

Western Maharashtra Region:

District: Satara, Taluka:  Man, Khatav, Koregaon

District: Solapur, Taluka:  Sangola, Uttar Solapur, Karmala, Barshi, Madha, Mangalwedha

District: Sangli, Taluka: Atpadi, Jath, Khanapur, Kawatemahankal, Tasgaon

District: Pune, Taluka:  Baramati, Indapur, Purandar

Vidarbha Region

District: Buldhana, Taluka: Motala, Jalgaon Jamod, Sangrampur

District: Akola, Taluka: Akot, Patur, Barshitakli, Tilhara

District: Washim, Taluka: Karanja, Mangrul Pir

District: Amravati, Taluka:  Dharni, Warud, Morshi, Chikhaldara, Nandagaon

District: Yavatmal, Taluka: Ralegaon, Kalamb, Umarkhed, Yavatmal, Ghatanji, Dharva

District: Wardha, Taluka:  Arvi, Devli, Karanja Ghadge, Selu

District: Nagpur, Taluka:  Narkhed

Marathwada Region

District: Aurangabad, Taluka: Khultabad, Phulambri, Vaijapur

District: Beed, Taluka: Kaij, Dharur, Ambajogai, Asti, Parali Vaijinath

District: Osmanabad, Taluka: Kalamb, Bhoom, Paranda, Osmanabad

District: Hingoli, Taluka:  Kalamnuri

District: Parbhani, Taluka: Jintoor

District: Nanded, Taluka: Bhokar, Loha

District: Jalna, Taluka: Jafrabad

District: Latur, Taluka: Ausa, Nilanga, Devni