Mukto-Dhara

1. Mukti Distributes ‘Mukto-Dhara’ Drinking Water at Purbasridharpur Fair In a thoughtful and timely initiative to promote public health and sustainability, Mukti, a well-respected NGO working in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal, distributed thousands of bottles of clean drinking water under its brand “Mukto-Dhara” at the annual Purbasridharpur Fair. With high temperatures and a large gathering of people, the campaign was both a humanitarian gesture and a significant step in raising awareness about access to safe drinking water. The fair, a popular local event celebrating culture, community, and tradition, served as the ideal platform for Mukti to introduce Mukto-Dhara, a water purification and distribution initiative designed to meet the critical need for clean drinking water in rural areas vulnerable to water contamination, salinity, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. What is Mukto-Dhara? Mukto-Dhara, meaning "Free Flow" in Bengali, is more than just bottled water — it is a community-centered initiative aimed at providing safe, affordable, and accessible drinking water to underserved populations in the Sundarbans. Produced locally at Mukti’s purification unit in Purba Sridharpur, Mukto-Dhara water undergoes rigorous purification processes and quality testing before distribution. The initiative addresses chronic issues like arsenic contamination, waterborne diseases, and saline intrusion, which have long affected the health and well-being of people in South 24 Parganas and similar coastal regions. By making clean water available through a community-owned model, Mukto-Dhara not only tackles a critical health concern but also empowers the local economy by creating jobs in water processing, packaging, and distribution.

2. Why the Purbasridharpur Fair? The Purbasridharpur Fair is a significant annual event that draws thousands of visitors from across the Sundarbans. It offers cultural programs, folk performances, handicrafts, and a chance for organizations like Mukti to connect directly with the people they serve. Recognizing this as a strategic opportunity, Mukti launched a mass-scale Mukto-Dhara water distribution campaign during the event to: Provide free, clean drinking water to all attendees Educate the public on the dangers of unsafe drinking water Demonstrate the benefits of the locally-produced Mukto-Dhara water Reinforce the importance of water hygiene and environmental awareness Over the course of the three-day fair, more than 12,000 bottles of Mukto-Dhara water were distributed at designated hydration booths and awareness stalls.

3. Community Impact and Reception The response from fair attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Under the scorching sun and amid bustling festivities, the cold, clean bottles of Mukto-Dhara offered more than just hydration—they provided relief, safety, and trust. For many villagers, it was their first experience with bottled drinking water produced within their own community. “I’ve never tasted such fresh and clean water at a fair,” said Rekha Mondal, a local visitor. “Usually, we carry our own water or drink from nearby pumps, but this water felt pure. It’s amazing to know it’s made right here in our village.” Volunteers used the opportunity to speak with villagers about the health risks associated with drinking untreated water. They distributed brochures in Bengali, highlighting the benefits of purified water, and answered questions about how Mukto-Dhara is produced and maintained. Educational and Environmental Outreach The Mukto-Dhara campaign wasn’t just about distribution — it was also about education and sustainability. At each booth, Mukti volunteers provided: Demonstrations on how Mukto-Dhara is purified Posters and leaflets explaining water-borne diseases and how to prevent them

4. QR codes on bottles linking to short videos and resources on water conservation Waste collection bins to promote recycling and discourage littering Children were engaged through drawing competitions and games with water-themed messages. Mukti ensured that attendees understood not just why clean water matters, but also how they could support a cleaner, healthier community through responsible consumption and waste disposal. Women and Youth: The Force Behind Mukto-Dhara An inspiring aspect of the Mukto-Dhara project is the involvement of local women’s self-help groups and youth volunteers in the production and distribution process. These community members are trained to manage the purification units, maintain hygiene standards, and conduct outreach campaigns. This model ensures that Mukto-Dhara is not charity—it’s empowerment. It creates income-generating opportunities, boosts confidence, and helps local people take ownership of their community’s health infrastructure.

5. Looking Ahead: The Future of Mukto-Dhara Building on the success of the Purbasridharpur Fair, Mukti plans to expand Mukto-Dhara to additional villages, schools, markets, and public events. The next steps include: Setting up mobile water kiosks Launching refillable bottle programs to reduce plastic waste Partnering with local governments and health centers Training more women and youth to lead the initiative Incorporating solar-powered filtration units to improve sustainability Mukti also envisions using Mukto-Dhara as an educational tool in its school programs, reinforcing the link between clean water, good health, and academic performance.

6. Conclusion: A Stream of Change Through the successful distribution of Mukto-Dhara drinking water at the Purbasridharpur Fair, Mukti demonstrated how local innovation, community participation, and compassion can come together to solve urgent public health problems. What began as a simple act of giving water evolved into a movement for safe hydration, environmental stewardship, and rural empowerment. As the clean bottles of Mukto-Dhara refreshed thousands at the fair, they carried with them a clear message: clean water is not a luxury—it is a right. And when a community takes ownership of that right, change flows freely.