Celebrating International Water Day 2025 at the Water Mela! 
On March 25, 2025, we proudly hosted the 7th Water Mela at Bore Goudar Mahal, Dhayanur, in honor of International Water Day! Organized by COODU and supported by ITC-MSK under the “Water Stewardship Programme,” this event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to promote water stewardship and sustainable agricultural practices. More than 600 farmers were participated.
✨ Event Highlights:
• Registration: Attendees received materials to engage in meaningful discussions.
• Cultural Traditions: The event began with the lighting of the Kuthuvizhakku and the Thamilthai Vazhthu, celebrating Tamil heritage.
• Welcome Address: Dr. S. Kathiresan, Secretary, COODU  emphasized the vital role of water conservation in agriculture.
• Inaugural Insights: Thiru. N. Murali, Unit Head, ITC – PSPD, Karamadai  highlighted ITC’s commitment to sustainable practices and community welfare.
• Community Support Initiatives: Thiru. Mahidhar Babu, Head, HR, ITC – PSPD, Karamadai discussed initiatives drinking water, Traffic management, CCTV camera support by the ITC, etc
• Informative Presentations: Thiru. Manish Kumar, Programme Manager – Tamil Nadu, ITC – MSK & Thiru. Dinesh, Senior Programme Executive, ITC – MSK.  shared the ITC MSK's Water Stewardship Programme and other social investments that promote sustainable water use.
• Key Note Address: Thirumathi. Bakiyalakshmi, Asst. Director of Agriculture, Karamadai delivered a key note address on the significance of water management in agriculture, stressing the need for innovative practices and explained the subsidy schemes available with the department.
• Technical Advancements: Thirumathi. Nivetha, Asst. Engineer, Agriculture Engineering Department, Coimbatore presented advancements in agricultural technology that aid in efficient water usage and explained the department’s schemes for farmers.
• Farmers' Perspectives: Thiru. S. Sureshkumar, Agronomist, Avinashilingam KVK, Karamadai shared insights from local farmers, discussing their experiences and challenges regarding water management in the Karamadai block.
• Agricultural Exhibition: An exhibition showcased various agricultural practices and technologies.
• Awards Ceremony: We celebrated the efforts of Women and Tribal Farmers in sustainable water management.
• Vote of Thanks: Thiru. Yuvaraj, Programme In-charge, Climate Smart Agriculture and Demand Management Initiatives concluded the event, expressing gratitude to all participants and speakers.
The Water Mela 2025 was a significant event that fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Together, we can make a positive impact on water stewardship and sustainable practices for a better future!