Dr. Balveer is Professor Emeritus and Chairman at the Centre for Multilevel Federalism of Institute of Social Sciences in New Delhi. He is also a visiting professor at Institut d’études politiques de Paris. He has more than four decades of experience in federalism and public policy studies.
Mr Dhruv is a board member for several organisations, including IndiaMart Intermesh Ltd., SBI Mutual Fund Trustee Company Private Limited, Bharat Hotels Limited, etc. He has over 40 years of varied industry experience including an extensive time in consulting.
Dipankar Saha is a water resource professional with more than three and half decades of experience. A Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines Dhanbad), he superannuated as Member (HQ) Central Ground Water Board and also worked as Member Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority. He spearheaded the National Aquifer Mapping Programme as National Coordinator. He owns multiple National and Internal appreciation, including the National Geoscience Award on Groundwater Exploration.
Mr. Dibyendu is a development professional with an active interest in communication, capacity building, reforms in the government, development interventions, including development in the social sector. He retired in January 2021 as Secretary in the Panchayats & Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal and Director, B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Panchayats & Rural Development, West Bengal. He has a Masters in English Literature and is currently working as an Independent Consultant since Feb 2021
Ms. Anjani Madhavi has over 25 years of experience in the FinTech domain and works in the areas of data aggregation, data connectivity, experiences, and analytics products, to deliver scalable financial wellness products. She is the Vice President at Envestnet-Yodlee and leads product management and program management teams in India. Ms. Anjani holds a Master of Business Administration from IIM Calcutta and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Osmania University. She curated nine modules to help instil values in children through storytelling. She is also the Chairperson of the POSH committee in her organization.
Mr. Bishwadeep Ghose became the Managing Trustee of Water For People India Trust in 2020. Currently, he oversees the operations in India and liaises with key partners on strategies for promoting collective impact on vulnerable and marginalized communities. He has over two decades of experience in the development sector of national and international organisations. His primary interest lies in forging partnerships with actors from the State, Markets and Civil Society to solve large-scale societal problems like water security and rural livelihoods.
Mr. Vaideeswaran is Senior RD&E Group Leader at Ecolab Technology Centre, NALCO Water. He has over 15 years of experience in speciality chemicals, water and wastewater treatment, environmental site assessment, and water-cooling systems.
Imtiaz Ali has directed nine full feature films and has amassed to his credit the reputation of being one of India’s most respected and admired filmmakers. His notable works include, Jab We Met, Highway, Tamasha and Rockstar. Born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, his father was a farmer. Imtiaz is deeply motivated to work with communities in rural areas. His film work has shown different parts of the country with focus on landscapes and real people and stories. He connects with the mission of ensuring clean water and sanitation services for all.
Madhu is an Environmental Economist & Policy Analyst. She was Chief Economist, World Resources Institute and provided solutions for enhancing India’s farmers wellbeing by leading WRI India’s Flagship Study on ‘Approaches for Doubling Farmers Income in India.’ She is currently Senior Economic Adviser at the Iora Ecological Solutions. She is a Leadership in Environment & Development (LEAD), Fellow; Trainer-Member, The Climate Change Project, India Chapter, Initiated by Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize Winner(2008), and a Fulbright Fellow.Â
An entrepreneurial non-profit professional with over 10 years of experience in initiating and managing community level economic development programs in sectors like Migrant Labor, Women and Special Children. Experience of working with US and India based corporates, nonprofit organizations, and top universities such as the Wharton School. She has a Master’s in counseling psychology, MBA in Advertising & Communications, Graduated in Economics & Political Science.
The year 2020 kicked off the Decade of Action for Global Goals – a ten-year countdown to achieving SDGs. SDG 6 envisions universal, sustainable, and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. It will also emphasise eliminating open defecation by 2030, especially for women, girls and other vulnerable groups – leaving no one behind. Water For People India has a strategy to make this goal a reality.
Maharashtra
Chikhaldara is a block in the Amravati District of Maharashtra. The population primarily consists of tribal communities, most of which are farmers. The region has high levels of poverty and experiences widespread water shortages.
In 2017, Water For People India launched The Water Initiative in Chikhaldara block. It aims to achieve Everyone Forever status by 2021, with special attention given to the vulnerable communities. Since the block experiences a high level of water scarcity, Water For People India is piloting water conservation and capture technologies, such as rainwater catchment systems with rehabilitation of dilapidated piped water systems.
Bihar
Sheohar is a rural district in Bihar, and Water For People India works in all the five blocks viz. Dumri Katsari, Tariyani Chowk, Piprahi, Purnahiya and Sheohar. Most people in these densely populated blocks are day labourers and farmers. The level of poverty is very high across the region.
In 2018, Water For People India had installed and rehabilitated handpumps to reach every household in the region. Our current target is to provide deep boreholes for high-quality water in every neighbourhood. We will continue our social art activities like street theatre and short films to educate the locals and promote safe water services. Additionally, loans for household sanitation will be facilitated and disbursed.
West Bengal
Rajnagar is a block in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Birbhum, an aspirational district of Niti Aayog, is prone to droughts. So rather than focusing on agriculture, the locals generate livelihood by making handicrafts and bamboo products. Over half of the population belongs to traditionally vulnerable and excluded groups.
In Rajnagar, Water For People India will work with communities to strengthen the management of water resources. We will help develop water safety and security plans, train local Jalabandhus, and establish operation and management strategies. To improve water infrastructure, Water For People India will install mini piped-water schemes in villages and construct water points in communities and schools.
West Bengal
Namkhana is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Most of the population in this block are involved in farming. Namkhana is in low-lying wetlands where water supplies are commonly contaminated with saline.
In Namkhana, Water For People India will focus on improving access to clean and reliable water services by installing and rehabilitating handpumps. In select schools, rainwater harvesting structures will be installed alongside handpumps, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
West Bengal
Patharpratima is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. The majority population works in agriculture, fishing, or manual labour. Patharpratima is susceptible to flooding due to being located in a river delta.
Since 2016, every school, community and clinic in Patharpratima have access to regular water services. And within the next four years, Water For People India had reached every single family in Patharpratima. To sustain those services and replicate the approach at a greater scale in the region, we are strengthening Gram Panchayats responsible for overseeing them.
West Bengal
Sagar Island is a block in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Most residents of Sagar Island are subsistence farmers, fishers, or manual labourers. Sagar Island is prone to flooding and tidal surges, which makes providing reliable water services particularly challenging.
Yet, we had reached every school, clinic, and community in Sagar Island by 2016, a significant milestone for us. To replicate these results, Water For People India shifted its focus on improving the sustainability of water services by strengthening Gram Panchayats and developing plans for scaling the approach across South 24 Parganas and West Bengal.
Today, every family in Sagar Island has been provided with reliable water services.