Waterman of India graces “Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition” at Galgotias University
Dr. Rajendra Singh, known as the ‘Waterman of India,’ graced the “Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition” at Galgotias University as the chief guest today.
“Water is our life and the creator of this entire universe. Therefore, always use water ethically,” said Dr. Rajendra Singh.
Dr. Rajendra Singh is a renowned river rejuvenator and environmentalist. Born on August 6, 1959, in Dola village, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Rajendra Singh holds a graduate degree in Ayurveda and a postgraduate degree in Hindi literature. He has been honoured with honorary doctorate degrees from various universities, including the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (2014), Poornima University, Jaipur (2016), and APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow (2019) among others.
Dr. Singh has received numerous national and international awards, including the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in 1994. Notably, he was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2001, the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development in 2005, and the Stockholm Water Prize in 2015, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for Water. In 2008, The Guardian included him in its list of “50 People Who Could Save the Planet.” He received the Ahimsa Award from the House of Commons, UK, in 2018, the Earth Repair Award from Seattle, USA, in 2019, and the Prithvi Bhushan Award in New Delhi the same year. In 2022, Zee Digital presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Conference of Civil Engineers awarded him the “Future Award – 2022.” In 2023, he received the ‘Swami Ram Humanitarian Award’ from the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust for his work in water conservation and social work.
Addressing the youth, he emphasized the urgent responsibility of conserving water and using water resources judiciously in this modern scientific world. He warned that the future looks grim if we do not find a solution to this complex problem in time, and future generations will not forgive us as their very existence will be at risk and gradually reach the brink of extinction. Hence, it is our collective duty to conserve rainwater and use water with great caution and ethics, avoiding unnecessary wastage. Otherwise, we will be on the brink of destruction within the next five to seven years. He urged the youth of the country to always oppose injustice and come forward to solve the water crisis.
Dr. Singh also criticized Macaulay’s education policy, stating that the education system introduced by the British was a conspiracy to keep us enslaved rather than true knowledge. Before that, India was known as the “Golden Bird” and was a global leader because it was entirely connected with nature. It considered the five elements as its deities and viewed water, women, and rivers as integral to nature. India regarded the entire universe as its deity and the whole world as its family, showing generous feelings towards everyone. This is why India was the world leader.
Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, called upon the youth to play a significant role in the great task of nature conservation and preservation to save the “existence of the earth.” This is our foremost responsibility. It is crucial for humanity to walk in harmony with nature. Otherwise, the day is not far when our very existence will be in danger, leaving us with nothing but regret.
Note: The “Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition” at Galgotias University will conclude tomorrow, August 3, 2024. Distinguished scientist Nilesh M. Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO), Ahmedabad, will be the chief guest at tomorrow’s event. Many students from various schools are expected to attend the exhibition in large numbers. Today, too, many students participated in the “Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition” held at Galgotias University.
