KHANAPARA: In honour and recognition of his pioneering community-based work on rejuvenation of rivers and waterbodies of Rajasthan, the USTM Missionary Award was presented on Wednesday to Dr Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist and environmentalist from the Alwar district of Rajasthan, who is also known as 'Waterman of India'.
The award was handed over to Dr Singh by Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) and Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the university, in the presence of Dr RK Sharma, Advisor and a host of administrative and faculty members and students, stated a press release. The programme was organized by departments of Earth Science, Social Work, Rural Development of USTM with support from IQAC.
The winner of Stockholm Water Prize 2015, an award known as 'the Nobel Prize for Water', and Ramon Magsaysay awardee (2001), Dr Rajendra Singh had a day-long programme at the USTM where he interacted with students on "Flood Control & its Mitigation" and had an intensive discussion with the faculty members of the university. He also made an interesting and enlightening presentation on water for sustainable development.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Rajendra Singh said that science, which can be used for the betterment of mankind with consciousness and concern, is actually "science with sense". A physician, who left practice and devoted his life for water conservation, Dr Singh and his team have rejuvenated an area of 10,600 square km in Rajasthan converting it into "white zone" which was earlier declared by the Government of India as "dark zone". He appealed to all the students of USTM to devote their knowledge for betterment of the common future of Earth and promised to dedicate his time to support their endeavour.
Emphasizing on judicious use of water, Singh said that drought-hit districts in the country had increased 10 times to 365 since Independence and small rivers were dying. In contrast, flood-hit districts have gone up by eight times to 190 in 2019, he said. People must become more water literate and understand the need for conservation.
Welcoming the guest and all present, Prof GD Sharma said that Dr Rajendra Singh and his team have rejuvenated 13 rivers in Rajasthan. He also said that USTM has been considered for establishment of a World Centre on Drought and Flood.
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