Get Enlightened…Go Green… @guru gyan

Each one of us can make a difference to the environment around us and benefit ourselves by adopting green tools, technology and practices. With the mission to change attitudes and behaviour of people and to protect and conserve the environment, Ojass’11 recognizes the critical need of spreading awareness about the need of Green-Tech. We hope with such an endeavour, Ojass is encouraging the young minds to conceptualise and innovate smarter ideas, and suggest possibly a better way of helping the environment.

Ojass’11 promotes the above awareness, and as such we invite you to be mesmerised by the brilliant oratory by our special guest, the Waterman of India, Mr. Rajendra Singh. A learning experience with the man who has been leading the Tarun Bharat Sangh, an organization supported by the United Nations, USIAD, and the World bank. He was highly appreciated and recognized for the efforts he made for harvesting rain water by building check dams in Rajasthan. It is because of this he is popularly known as the ‘Jal Purush’ or the ‘Water man of India’.

Since 1985, Tarun Bhagat Sangh, headed by Rajendra Singh have been working in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, focusing on the revival of Johads, streams and rivers in the area. They were of the opinion that without water in region no other significant development could take place. And with the successful implementation of the programme and with the total dedication of all the team members along with the cooperation of the villagers, today more than 4,500 working Johads dot Alwar and surrounding districts. (Johad is concave structure which collects and store water throughout the year. It is used for the drinking purpose by humans and cattle).

Above all what is really commendable is that they work for the revitalization of the five rivers that went dry for the long time. River Ruparel, that went dead, has stared flowing again after the span of three decades. Even the Arvari River basin, which was once barren became a water source, due to the active participation and hard work of the team members. On the other sides rejuvenation of the traditional water harvesting structures on such a large scale is a positive indication of development in the state. And it was definitely a sincere effort by Rajendra Singh for eradicating the scarcity of water in the rural areas of Rajasthan. In many villages people have started building Johads of their own. Now the women need not to travel to the far away places to collect water, fuel wood and fodder. They educated the mind of the people and made them understand the importance of water conservation. It is a perfect solution for the long standing problem of water in the remote areas. Water harvesting is a good way to tackle with the problem of drought and floods.

Organization of Rajendra Singh has overall 45 full time employees and 230 part time workers. He is a charismatic personality and the real hero of poor. He spends eight months of the year on road working day and night without seeing the face of his wife and son. Until 1984, he knew nothing about the water and its conservation methods. It were the villagers who showed me the value of water, and till date The work done by the Rajendra Singh is a inspiration for the million others in the nation.

So get ready for a tete-a-tete with the man who adopted green measures for the environment, changing attitudes and behaviours of numerous people creating awareness for the protection and conservation of the environment!!!