Sri Sathya Sai Water Supply Project

Commemorative Stamp for Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project (SSSDWSP)

Background:

• Importance of Safe Drinking Water: Access to safe drinking water has been a critical concern for rural India since the early days of independence. Initiatives like the National Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (1954) and the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) aimed to address this issue.
• National Drinking Water Mission (1986): This mission aimed to provide safe drinking water to 1.4 lakh residual problem villages and enhance the effectiveness of ongoing water programs. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in meeting the standard of 40 liters per capita per day.

Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project (SSSDWSP):

• Initiation: Launched by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust under the guidance of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the SSSDWSP targeted one of India’s most drought-prone and fluoride-affected regions, Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh.
• Completion: The project was completed in less than 18 months, with the first phase operational within six months, benefiting 32 lakh people. It was inaugurated on Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 70th birthday by President Shankar Dayal Sharma.
• Scope: The project includes four major schemes:

1. Comprehensive Protected Water Supply (CPWS): Utilizes infiltration wells and balancing reservoirs to cover 169 villages, and rivers like Pennar and Hagari for an additional 93 villages.
2. Direct Pumping and Filtration: Involves direct pumping from the Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir with rapid sand filtration, covering 93 villages.
3. CPWS via Summer Storage Tanks: Uses water from the Tungabhadra High Level Canal to cover 97 villages.
4. Protected Water Supply (PWS): Includes deep borewells, storage tanks, and pipelines to cover 279 villages.

Infrastructure Details:

• Coverage: The project spans 19,125 sq. km and includes:
• 2,500 km of pipelines
• 268 overhead service reservoirs (OHSR)
• 124 ground-level service reservoirs (GLSR)
• 21 ground-level balancing reservoirs (GLBR)
• 40 booster stations
• 7 summer storage tanks
• 13 infiltration wells
• 280 borewells

Significance:

• Philanthropic Achievement: The project was notable for its scale and swift completion, funded entirely by a charitable organization, marking a significant milestone in charitable water supply initiatives in India.
• Ongoing Efforts: The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is expanding its efforts to other districts and continues to provide philanthropic services in education and health.

Stamp Design and Purpose:

• Recognition: The Department of Posts issued a stamp to honor the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust’s pioneering efforts in improving rural water supply.
• Educational Value: The stamp serves as a reminder of the importance of providing safe drinking water and highlights the impactful contributions of charitable organizations in addressing critical social needs.

Usage:

• Philatelic Collection: Appeals to collectors interested in social welfare and charitable contributions.
• Awareness Campaign: Raises awareness about the ongoing need for safe drinking water in rural areas and the role of philanthropic efforts in addressing this issue.

This commemorative stamp encapsulates the remarkable achievement of the SSSDWSP and underscores the significant impact of charitable initiatives in improving public health and infrastructure in rural India.