Representational image from a statue of founder of Bhartiya Jana Sangh, Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Photo credit: A. M. Faruqui
The government announced Wednesday that the National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality has been renamed Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institution of Water and Sanitation in Kolkata.
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to rename the institute on 8.72 acres of land near Joka, Diamond Harbour Road in Kolkata, at a meeting headed by Prime Minister NarendraModi.
The institute was inaugurated by the Prime Minister last month.
It is intended to be a major institute that develops capacities in Union territories and states in the areas of public health engineering, drinking and sanitation, and hygiene through training programs.
According to an official statement, such capacities are planned for both the frontline workforce involved in the Swachh Bharat Mission implementation and the Jal Jeevan Mission implementation, as well as for representatives from local bodies, rural and urban.
The infrastructure required to support the training and development of researchers and developers, as well as a residential area, has been created.
The institute also has miniature and working models for Water Sanitation and Hygiene technology (WASH).
Jana Sangh founder Mookerjee was a leader in national integration and inspiration for industrialisation. He was also an eminent scholar who was the youngest vice chancellor of University of Calcutta.