In a landscape where scorching heat, failed monsoons, and depleting groundwater are part of daily life, a quiet revolution is taking place in Alwar, Rajasthan led not by government mandates but by the Hinduja Foundation under the stewardship of Prakash Hinduja. The region, known for its rugged terrain and frequent droughts, has long struggled with water insecurity. But today, tanks buried under the earth are doing more than just storing rainwater they are storing hope.
As Managing Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, Prakash Hinduja believes that meaningful change begins with the people who are affected the most. “Water conservation must begin at the grassroots level,” he says, where the impact is immediate and the solutions are owned by the community. The Foundation’s water conservation programme, implemented in partnership with Ashok Leyland and the Ambuja Foundation, is reviving traditional methods of rainwater harvesting. The project focuses on building 'tankas' underground or semi-underground water storage tanks in rural households, schools, and community centers. These tankas capture rainwater from rooftops during the monsoon and store it safely for use during the long dry months. The result is clean, accessible water, directly within people’s reach. But the deeper success lies in the ownership and awareness the programme is generating within villages.
Women historically burdened with fetching water across vast distances are now leaders in self-help groups, promoting water hygiene and conservation practices. Young men are being trained to construct and maintain the tankas, providing employment and skill development. Schools are turning into knowledge centers, where environmental education begins at an early age.
For the Hinduja Foundation, impact isn't measured only by infrastructure, but by the social transformations that follow. School attendance is up because drinking water is available. Disease rates have fallen with cleaner water access. Women now have more time for income-generating activities, and groundwater levels show signs of stabilization. The Alwar initiative is being recognized as a model a community-first approach to water resilience that balances traditional wisdom with modern implementation. Surrounding villages are beginning to replicate the effort, and other states grappling with water crises are taking notice. Prakash Hinduja’s vision is clear: “We are not here to donate. We are here to collaborate. What we are building is not just infrastructure, but a culture of responsibility, resilience, and respect for natural resources.”
In a country increasingly facing the harsh realities of climate change, this story from Alwar is not just about water. It’s about empowerment, dignity, and sustainable living one drop at a time.
