Peyjal Gatha is a proposed national competition inviting students in Classes VIII–XII from across India to document drinking water stories, traditional water wisdom, local water bodies, and practical solutions for water security.
The competition seeks to encourage students to discover and document water-related experiences from their families, schools, and communities; preserve traditional knowledge, local practices, and memories that may otherwise remain undocumented; invite practical youth-led ideas for water conservation, reuse, source sustainability, and responsible consumption; create a curated repository of authentic student content for education, public awareness, and future IEC use; and nurture informed young water ambassadors.
Eligibility and Scope:
The competition is open to students enrolled in Classes VIII–XII in schools recognised by State/UT Boards, CBSE, KVS, NVS, NIOS, and other eligible school systems across India.
Participant Groups:
Group A - Class VIII-X - Entries assessed with age-appropriate expectations
Group B - Class XI-XII - Entries assessed with stronger emphasis on analysis and feasibility
Competition Categories
Category: 1. My Drinking Water Story
Expected Submission: A personal, family, school or community story connected with drinking water.
Illustrative Themes: Life before and after household tap water; women and water; community action; changes in health, time, dignity, or daily life.
Drinking Water Focus: At least 40–50% of the entry should relate directly to drinking water and its impact.
Category: 2. Water Wisdom of My Village
Expected Submission: Documentation of traditional knowledge, practices, structures, or customs related to water.
Illustrative Themes: Rainwater harvesting; ponds, wells, stepwells, and springs; oral traditions; source protection; local practices.
Drinking Water Focus: At least 50% of the entry should connect local wisdom with drinking water; ‘then and now’ photographs may be included.
Category: 3. Young Water Innovator: Finding an AQUA Solution
Expected Submission: A practical, low-cost idea to save, reuse, monitor, or manage water.
Illustrative Themes: School water-saving action; greywater reuse; awareness tools; simple monitoring solutions; source sustainability.
Drinking Water Focus: At least 40% of the entry should address drinking water or its supporting systems and explain the expected impact.
Category: 4. My Local Water Body and Its Life
Expected Submission: Documentation of a nearby pond, river, lake, spring, johad, talab, or other local source.
Illustrative Themes: History, ecology, present condition, community dependence, challenges, and suggestions for restoration or care.
Drinking Water Focus: At least 50% of the entry should explain the water body’s relevance to drinking water or source sustainability.
Evaluation Criteria
Originality and authenticity - 25% - Student voice, local evidence, and genuine observation.
Relevance to drinking water - 30% - Clear connection with drinking water, conservation, service delivery or source sustainability.
Quality of story or idea - 20% - Clarity, coherence, creativity, and communication.
Local knowledge value - 15% - Insight into community practice, change, heritage, or a local challenge.
Ethical documentation - 10% - Consent, dignity, safe representation, and responsible use of photographs.
Reward: Shortlisted students will get a Certificate of National Recognition.
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA