Dr. M.N. Roy and Dr. Debasri Mukherjee from SIGMA Foundation were invited by Prof. Rahul Mukherjee-South Asin Institute (SAI) for delivering lectures on “water governance and water quality” at Heidelberg University, Germany 2019.
Access to safe water is critical for healthy living. Yet, large number of people across the developing countries including India have limited access to safe drinking water on a sustainable basis. In order to ensure safe drinking water to everyone and forever the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) has clearly laid targets to be achieved by 2030. As per Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol of MDWS GOI, groundwater contamination exceeding 20% of the samples tested in rural areas and 10% of the samples tested in the urban areas are considered worrying and calls for instant mitigation measures. Also, presence of chemical contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, iron and nitrate above permissible limit makes the water unsafe for drinking. In respect of bacteriological contamination, the presence of coliform particularly E. coli makes the water unfit for drinking. It is one of the major causes of diarrhoeal diseases which is quite common during the rainy season and the children are particularly vulnerable. Assam was chosen as the study hotspot as it faces problems of both chemical and bacteriological contamination in water.
Dr. Enny D. Kotoky, Mr. Rajarshi Bannerjee, Er. Sohini Tarafdar & Dr. Debasri Mukherjee conducting the training program
Good Lab Practice is a quality system concerned with the organizational process and the conditions under which water quality analysis procedure, lab safety and environmental safety management studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, archived and reported. While the regulations set out the rules for good practice they also help the lab personal to perform his/her work in compliance with his own pre-established plan and they standardize every procedure as per protocol. GLP generally stress the importance of the implementing method as per guidelines. This Model also focussed on quality assurance program, lab facilities, lab apparatuses, materials and reagents, test system, test and reference items, performance of the study, reporting of study results, storage and retention of records & materials.
Mr. Rajarshi Bannerjee engaging trainees in hand hold training of Ion Meter
SIGMA Foundation has been a pioneer in the establishment of GLP Model in drinking water sector with Rapid Membrane Filtration Technique (RMFT) for bacteriological analysis in India specially in Assam State.
Dr. Debasri Mukherjee delivering her lecture on “An Overview of GLPM”
A four days rigorous training program was organised for lab personnel of District Level Laboratories (DLL) of Assam in two batches by SIGMA Foundation with the support of PHED Assam and UNICEF Assam State Office in the conference hall of Betkuchi, WSSO PHED Assam. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Enny D. Kotoky, Chief Water Analyst, PHED Assam who was also one of the chief trainees. The training sessions were structured in three major segments. The first part of the training programme was “An Overview of Good Lab Practice Model” by Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Sr. Research Officer, SIGMA Foundation. During her class room session, a significant light was thrown upon all the aspects of GLPM. It was also presented that why it is the urgent need for the laboratories of Assam to adapt the model for upgrading themselves in order to fulfil the SDG 6 Goal by 2030.
Er. Sohini Tarafdar conducting her session on “Instrument Handling & Maintenance”
This session was followed by the implementation of GLPM in the instrumentation handling sector of the laboratories by Er. Sohini Tarafdar, Research Officer, SIGMA Foundation. The techniques of calibration & maintenance of instruments in compliance with GLPM was discussed with the trainees in details. The important need of acquiring skills of instrument handling are clearly adapted under this programme. Its also indicates that how to avoid faulty data generation which has a direct impact on quality of the work of the laboratory as well as the lab personnel, provide a long life to the instrument, keep the instrument user friendly, Optimizing the cost of servicing and repairing spent on the instrument.
Live E. Coli Colonies visible as a result of MF Technique in 24 hours
The third segment was owned by Mr. Rajarshi Banerjee, Consultant, SIGMA Foundation. It was a blend of lecture and hand holding training of the methods of analysis of some important chemicals namely arsenic, fluoride, iron, pH and bacteriological parameters including Total Coliform and E. coli. The Membrane Filtration (MF) Technique was introduced for the first time in Assam water quality testing laboratory system for rapid bacteriological analysis with extensive hand holding demonstration and considered as the best practices to improve the water quality testing standard. It also permits testing of large water sample volumes, reduces preparation time as compared to many traditional methods, allows isolation and enumeration of discrete colonies of bacteria, provides presence or absence information within 24 hours, is effective and acceptable by all regulatory bodies, can be adopted to monitor drinking water quality in government laboratories etc. MF Technique allows for removal of bacterio-static or cidal agents that would not be removed in Pour Plate, Spread Plate, or MPN techniques.
Trainers from SIGMA Foundation accepting Gamosa as a token of honour for establishment of GLPM from WSSO, PHED Assam
SIGMA Foundation received an overwhelming response from the trainees of DLL, Assam with 100% success of the MF technique and 97% success of GLPM at the laboratory level. This huge success of SIGMA Foundation in the arena of GLPM in drinking water sector has paved the way of this sector to reach the zenith of water quality assurance in compliance with rapid achievement of SDG Goal.
Er. Gautam Pal, Director, WSSO, PHED Assam distributing the certificates to the trainees
This technical initiative helped the lab personnel to be more technically equipped and confident after they have been skilled in instrument handling. This will lead to data accuracy as per GOI protocol. They will also be careful and aware of the safety issues of the equipment as well as themselves while working on qualitative and quantitative characterization of chemicals and bacteriological quality checking.
Significantly, Dr. M.N. Roy, President, SIGMA Foundation had graced the occasion on the second day of the programme which resulted to be a great motivation for the trainees as well as the trainers. The certificates were whole heartedly distributed by Mr. Gautam Pal, Director, WSSO, PHED Assam who has also extended a great support to organize the program.
Children of SOSCV, Kolkata participating in WWD Celebration, 2018
SIGMA Foundation, Kolkata and SOSCV, Kolkata had taken an initiative to celebrate World Water Day, 2018 in the campus of SOS Children’s Village, Kolkata on 31st March, 2018. A One Day Orientation Program on “Educating Children on WASH where Every Drop Counts” had been organised where awareness regarding sustainable use of water was spread among the SOS children through behavioural change with the application of IEC tools. It was induced in the innocent brains of SOS children through various interactive activities and audio-visual clippings by SIGMA expert group.
Dr. M.N. Roy & Mr. Sailesh Singh watering the plant to inaugurate the event
Mrs. Kamala Saha, Deputy Director, Child Trafficking Department, West Bengal and Ms. Dipali Sarkar, Secretary SOSCV, Kolkata had graced the occasion as special guests of the event. Dr. M.N Roy, Founder and President of SIGMA Foundation enlightened the children on Water with his special thoughts. Mr. A.K Ray, Local Board President, SOSCV, Kolkata and Mr. Sailesh Singh, Zonal Director, SOSCV, East India had put forward the thought for the need of such awareness campaign.
Mr. A. K Ray, Mr. Sailesh Singh, Mrs. Kamala Saha & Ms. Dipali Sarkar as eminent guests
The technical team of SIGMA Foundation was led by Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Senior Research Officer who gave a talk on “Overall WATER Scenario” with facts and figures of the country leading to a dangerous water stressed zone which needs immediate attention and action. Water samples from SOSCV FSP sites namely Rohanda, Narayanpur, Rajarhat etc. were tested for water quality parameters in front of the children and house members.
Dr. M.N. Roy delivering his motivational talk for SOSCV children
The specific demonstration using the Field Test Kit was given by Mr. Rajarshi Bannerjee, Consultant SIGMA Foundation. Mrs. Debaleena Bhattacharya, IEC and BCC Expert from SIGMA Foundation who is also a TV anchor in Doordarshan West Bengal taught the children six steps of handwashing and handling safe water through various games and activities. Ms. Priyanka Dutta and Ms. Nilanjana Mukherjee also shared a brief overview on Panchayat and Sanitation with the children.
Dr. Debasri Mukherjee, Mrs. Sohini Tarafdar, Mrs. Debaleena Bhattacharya, Mr. Rajarshi Bannerjee, Ms. Nilanjana Mukherjee & Ms Priyanka Dutta interacting with the SOSCV children
The entire program was conducted and compared by Mrs. Sohini Tarafdar, Research Officer, SIGMA Foundation who had also engaged the students in a brief interactive session on personal hygiene. The programme wrapped up with an exciting “WATER” theme-based poster competition with the kids of SOS Children’s Village Kolkata and the winners were given champion trophies by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Director SOSCV, Kolkata, Dr. M.N. Roy and Dr. Anjali Roy, Honorary Consultant, SIGMA Foundation who is also a Teacher in Pradeep Centre for Autism Management, Kolkata.
SOSCV children participating in WATER Theme based Poster competition
Jointly vote of thanks was offered by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh and Mr. Debmalya Biswas Chowdhury, Assistant Director, SOSCV, Kolkata. The entire team of SIGMA Foundation had come forward for the event of “Charity for water Science”.
The program was a huge success and had got successful media coverage with the local regional newspapers as well online blogs.
Dr, M.N Roy handing over the Champion trophy of poster competition
The link of our E-coverage is also provided below.
Assam has been the hotspot of water criticality since ages. At the end of March, 2018, PWS is available to around 45.8% as estimated from MDWS data and only 2.03% of household has access to PWS in household premises. The State has the advantage of receiving more rainfall than most parts of India and both surface and ground water is available abundantly except in the hill areas. However, the state is heavily dependent on ground water for drinking water supply and the same is mostly drawn through tube wells, generally from a shallow depth, particularly through private sources. There are three to four very important groundwater potential zones which discharge huge amount of water for human uses. Therefore, the state has ample scope to meet the goals related to water under the SDG (Goal 6.1). Along with improving access to piped water supply, ensuring supply of proper quality of water from public sources and putting in place a proper system of Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQMS) as per guidelines of the MDWS is another area of concern for the state.
Reservoir constructed by PHED Assam
Assam Public Health Engineering Department (APHED) is responsible for providing drinking water to the entire rural population, which was 2.68 crore as per 2011 census. Efficient implementation of the schemes, particularly completing the schemes without cost and time over-run, proper O&M of the commissioned schemes for sustained supply of water and ensuring quality of water supplied are the critical result areas for the department. The main objective of study was that, the Government of Assam (GOA) is keen to improve performance of the PHE Department, particularly in implementation of the NRDWP, so that it can meet the challenge of providing universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, as per the SDG (Goal 6.1). SIGMA Foundation took up the challenging study and has successfully recommended an expert set of guidelines for the strengthening of APHED.
Officials of SIGMA Foundation interacting with the Key Officials of APHED
SIGMA officials had rigorous interaction with the key officials of APHED for rapid assessment of the problems. In-Depth-Interviews (IDIs) of the key officials at different tiers of the organization were conducted for the enrichment of the concept. The present functioning and organisational structure of APHED was understood thoroughly to get to the grass root of the problem.
SIGMA Foundation has competently put forth a set of recommendations regarding issues related to Execution of Work at all the organisational tiers of the system. The demand and utilization of funds has been given a new shape by the expert group. Strengthening of supervision and monitoring for good and effective governance has been brought into lime light. Enhancing IT skills and proper maintenance of IMIS data has been encouraged. HR management and Capacity Building of the same was identified as another important sector and recommendations to resolve the same was provided efficiently by the team. There were some other identified factors which has also been given a restructured shape by SIGMA Foundation.
A PCA has been signed with UNICEF Maharashtra on “Developing Capacity Towards Concurrent Monitoring and Supportive Handholding to Govt. of Maharashtra to sustain ODF Status of Rural Maharashtra with Identification of Bottlenecks and Developing Enabling Environment” which has a geographical coverage of entire state of Maharashtra as well as focusing on high burden 12 districts and 18 census towns.
SIGMA Foundation initiated a Time and Work Study in the states of Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal. This study is part of a country-wide study initiated by National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of India.
