Voting for Will Of Steel

I’m voting for (nominee’s name)’s#WillOfSteel and blogging on BlogAdda to help him/her get felicitated and eventually enabled by JSW.

You go against all odds, cross all hurdles and achieve what others could not. You need #willofsteel to do that. You need firm determination and courage to fulfill those dreams, even if that means sacrificing dear things or living in hardships. JSW presents such people with extraordinary courage whose contribution is truly remarkable. I encourage and have voted for such exemplary personalities on the website willofsteel.in. The nominee who got my attention is Rajendra Singh- The waterman of India, whom I think should be felicitated by JSW for his will of steel.

Rajendra Singh who hails from Alwar, Rajasthan, is notable a water-conservationist. In the time where we are struggling for fresh air and clean water, there are villages and remote places who do not receive water at all. Lands are turning barren, rain fall is uncertain, crops are failing and farmers are committing suicide. In such a difficult time, Rajendra Singh gave up all the luxuries of his life, fastened his belt and dedicated his life to water conservation. Singh has played an important role by helping more than 1000 villages to get water. He has also revived five rivers.

There are very few people who think and do something good for the environment. Singh quit his government service, sold his household items, started educating villagers, went on to work for the NGO “Tarun Bharat Sangh” which means Young India Association and focused on the issues of water. He did not behave like his fellow classmates or co-workers, who study in cities, come to villages for projects and return without solving the problems.

Starting from a single village in 1985, over the years Tarun Bharat Sangh has helped build over 8,600 johads and other water conservation structures to collect rainwater for the dry seasons. By 2001, they had built 4,500 earthen check dams, to collect rain water in 850 villages in 11 districts of Rajasthan. Singh was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in the same year.

Alwar, was worse hit due to receding water table and lack of rains. Singh spread awareness and worked for water conservation. One of the forgotten ways was “Johar” which is a traditional method of rainwater storage, popularly in Rajasthan. Post much reluctance from villagers, friends and colleagues, ultimately Singh’s revolutionary work led to revival of Alwar. The water table is stable now and he continues to work for improved water conservation methods that includes check dams.

Rajendra Singh has been thoroughly involved in fighting the bureaucracy and the mining lobby. Today as Alwar is fit to reside in, the credit goes to Rajendra Singh. His NGO has also been instrumental in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. People value the traditional methods of water harvesting today and do not suffer from drought. Thanks to the waterman for his efforts, forward thinking and steel of will.

Let's vote for him and recognize his efforts for the noble work done. We need more people like him who bring a positive change for the environment and save the planet.