Popular by the name of ‘ Jal Purush’, Rajendra Singh in Rajasthan is doing an excellent work on water conservation.  He started working in year 1980 to overcome the problem of ghastly drought in Rajasthan.

At first he was alone, many people tried to create problems but he kept moving forward towards his goal with  strong belief. Later the village people also understood his idea and they started joining him.

He began influencing and informing villagers, women and children on traditional cheap and easy water conservation methods, through  his NGO ‘Tarun Bharat association’. It showed comprehensive results.

The modern technique, raising the rain water within the earth was used as primitive Indian method. Many small puddles were developed, rain water filled it to capacity and then slowly the earth absorbed it.

Water collecting methods like johadh, baveriya and natural water sources were being developed. Water returned on barren grounds, crops flourished in fields. It was initial change; it transformed the discretion of the barren land.

.Better known as the Water Man of India, he has dedicated himself to defeating drought and empowering communities in Rajasthan and elsewhere.

Reacting to the announcement, Singh said: “this is very encouraging, energizing and inspiring news. Through the Indian wisdom of rainwater harvesting, we have made helpless, abandoned, destitute and impoverished villages prosperous and healthy again.”

In the past  20 years, Singh has managed to activate  8,600 johads (rain water storage tanks) and other structures to collect water have been built. Water had been brought back to around 1,000 villages across the state.

He currently runs an NGO called ‘Tarun Bharat Sangh’ which is based in Kishori-Bhikampura near Sariska Tiger Reserve. In 2008, The Guardian listed him as one of its “50 people who could save the planet”.

He has been recognized with the Magsaysay  award in 2001 for community leadership.The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

In 2008 Guardian has included his name in the list of 50 people who can save the earth. On 26th August 2016, Rajendra Singh will be awarded the Stockholm Water Prize in Sweden.

The world’s most prestigious water award, Stockholm Water Prize, honours women, men and organizations whose work contributes to the conservation and protection of water resources, and to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. All who have made extraordinary water-related achievements are eligible.

[with inputs from media sources and Seema Kumari]

  Rajendra Singh, Stockholm Water Prize, water