Rajendra Singh, is a winner of 2001 Ramon Magsaysay Award For Community leadership. He leads an organization, Tarun Bhagat Sangh, which is 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 water by building check dams in Rajasthan. It is because of this he is popularly known as the 'Jal Pusush' or the 'Water man of Rajasthan'
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.
Rajendra Singh along with his other team members persuaded the villagers to rejuvenate their functioning style, which in turn changed the total life line of Rajasthan. He has plans to cover more of 45 villages in the next one year. He has also decided to take up the project of river Luni, the only flowing water source in western parts of Rajasthan. The condition of the river is getting worst with the day by day increasing pollution from the numerous textile units Pali. 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.
Source and Credit:http://www.ecoindia.com/education/water-man-of-rajasathan.html