‘Vanguards of Change’: Simple yet Extraordinary thinking

By Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation

Congratulations on winning the #Padmaawards for the year 2020. We, at India Water Foundation is elated to hear individual’s diverse and momentous endeavors. The award is a reflection of the endless dedication and sincere efforts towards their work which they truly deserve. Their innovative and out-of-box solutions make them distinguished as true Champions of Change.

On the eve of 71st Republic Day 2020, Padma awards were given to citizens of India in recognition of their contribution to the society in spheres such as education, literature, science, medicine, social service, etc.

Eminent personalities like George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Kannada spiritual icon Sri Vishveshateertha Swami of Pejavar Matt were chosen for the second-highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan posthumously. We have individuals like Harekala Hajabba, who understood the importance of education in today's time and put in efforts so that children in his village can receive an education and have a bright future. Our country needs more people like Hajabba who have devoted their lives to the betterment of others. We also have Jagdish Lal Ahuja, who serves free food to patients and attendants outside PGI hospital in Chandigarh, Mohammed Sharif from Faizabad, who has performed last rites of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies, and elephant doctor from Assam Kushal Konwar Sarma, unsung heroes awarded the coveted Padma Shri.

Acknowledging their meritorious success, our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi while congratulating the Padma awardees, remarked that ‘they include extraordinary individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our society, nation and humanity’. It is indeed educative for everyone, including us to learn from these agents of change. They have ensured to lay a legacy of ‘inspirational’ solutions that has transformed a community.

Meghalaya Woman Trinity Saioo's initiative of Turmeric Farming Movement allowed women farmers to triple their income. Seventy-two-year-old Tulasi Gowda from Karnataka, who earned the sobriquet "encyclopedia of forests" because of her vast knowledge of diverse plants species in spite of lacking formal education, has also been given the award. Every individual enhanced their share of knowledge and understanding of bringing ‘development from below’. They have brought positive social change by shedding an orthodox mindset of ‘status quoits attitude’. Raising a bar to bring in transformational changes, the awardees raise a consciousness amongst us, inspire communities to a ‘model of change’ and a trend setter for others to follow.

India Water Foundation, since inception is successfully tapping community’s momentum and promoting ‘Eco-consciousness’ through triad of ‘public communication, public awareness & public movement’ & promoting Change makers to act as trend setters for others to follow. IWF is focusing on ‘Putting People First’ and strengthening 'capacity building’ endeavors at Pan India level and beyond as it is a sine qua non for adaptation & mitigation of environment related woes. We have created young champions, especially at the grass root level who commit themselves to various causes, and undertake the advocacy and awareness campaign in their field area on a sustainable basis. Many of our Jal Mitras & champions of change have indeed set a positive precedent in true spirit.

Articulating a paradigm of Sustainable solutions in Aspirational Districts, we created ‘Young Champions’ at the field level and also motivated youth, women, multi stakeholders and communities towards scientific and innovative thinking. We also applauded the innovative efforts of distinguished people in their respective work space and community by felicitating them with ‘Champions of Change’ Award. No efforts can be pursued without the collective and participatory mode of community engagement  and India Water Foundation is determined to work in the larger public interest viz Sustainable Development. We wish the Padma awardees best wishes towards brighter prospects and hoping to bring more laurels for the country through distinguished endeavors.

#PadmaAwards #ChampionsOfChange #Sustainable Development #IndiaWaterFoundation #AspoirationalDistricts #TransformationalChanges #Changesneeded #India #IWF

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