Ajay Ratan Soni, Vidya Bharati alumni bringing water to schools in Thar desert area

Water shortage in Indian deserts has always been a common problem, but in recent years, erratic climate changes has made the situation more severe.  

With increasing population and reduction of groundwater resources, troubles of the inhabitants residing in Thar area of Rajasthan has escalated. Apart from drinking water shortage, insufficient availability of water also leads to declining agricultural production, which in turn can trigger food shortages in the area. 

Ajay Ratan Soni  who is an alumnus of Pandit Bachraj Vyas Adarsh Vidya Mandir Sr. Sec. School, in Nagaur, Rajasthan has always been acutely aware of the problems resulting from water scarcity and was determined to find out their solutions.

One of the major things that disturbed Ajay immensely, was the lack of drinking water facilities in governmental schools.The children studying there had to walk considerable distances to fetch water from neighbouring areas . To solve this  problem he took the initiative to lay down pipes for transporting drinking water to the schools. He has set up drinking water facilities in places such as Government Secondary School Amarpura, Government Senior Secondary School Khunkhuna and at Didwana Power House. Soni, is also a member of Bharat Vikash Parishad, which aims to make drinking water available at railway stations and train compartments.

Along with provision of safe drinking water to schools, Ajay also felt the dire need of setting up of proper toilets in the schools for the students. Due to traditional practices and norms, most of the students used nearby forest for defecation. Soni took up the responsibility to break these social taboos and make people aware of the dangers of the practice. He set up toilet blocks in several schools for the students.

According to Ajay, it was his school that taught him the ‘sanskriti’ of helping others and bringing in positive societal changes.

If you are interested to set up drinking water systems or toilet blocks in Vidya Bharati schools, kindly email us at info@vidyabharatialumni.org or donate online at https://www.vidyabharatialumni.org/donation