The rain maker!

 

 

He caused water to flow in parched lands. Magasasay award winner and ‘Waterman of India’, Rajendra Singh revived the greens in the desert district of Alwar, after toiling alone for three years to hit upon his unique water harvesting model. Founder of the Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS – http://www.tarunbharatsangh.org/), Rajendra Singh mobilised village after village in many districts of Rajasthan in the 80s and 90s to hollow out ponds called johad accumulating rain water. As water tables recharged and wells swelled with the elixir of life, there cascaded prospects like employment, agriculture, and enhanced standards of living slowing urban migration.

Lately engaged in the Yamuna Satyagraha, a movement protesting against the Commonwealth Games Village Project site encroaching on the river’s flood plains, the environmental alchemist says, “I strongly believe that our work for Yamuna will help the environment in a positive way and make the government realise their wrong doing.” His message? “I want is to promote agriculture with less usage of chemicals and fertilisers and reduce water exploitation. To save our rivers, efforts – simple ones – need to be taken at individual level and at the government’s level…” Let’s ‘drink’ to that one…