Making Waves...

Running an NGO for the last eight years, having cleaned over ninety water bodies across India, we were expecting the founder and the CEO of EFI (Environmentalist Foundation of India) to be a suave, swanky, corporate style executive, complete with tie and boots. But, what we discovered in 33-year-old Arun Krishnamurthy, was a shy, hazel-eyed, sun-tanned guy, in shorts and t-shirt, sitting under the shade of a peepal tree in the village square, studying the topography of the area, where his current project had lead him to.

In seeing us approach, he came to greet us, and touched my mother's feet, in a spontaneous gesture of respect. "You must have a lot of projects going on simultaneously, how do you manage?" I was curious. "Oh, yes, along with this water catchment, our team is also working to dredge six ponds and two lakes in Chidambaram...but, this one, in Chinna Mudaliyar Chavadi, is a very important project. It is not only the visible part of the water channel which needs to be taken into consideration, but also the one which has been cemented, to make way for development. You see that dip behind the Kali temple, it once held a pond. And, similarly, there's yet another pond at a higher level which needs to be revived, and connected to the canyon, so the rainwater can take its natural course." 

Armed with a degree and know-how in water management from the University of Netherlands, Arun is on his turf as he explains the complexity of the project in a layman's language. And suddenly, he is not shy any more. We ask him about Bhutan, where he had gone to study and understand the watershed spring system. "Bhutan is a world apart," he says dreamily. The people of Bhutan have a different value system, and a more inclusive approach to life. They consider themselves part of the planet, and not just citizens of Bhutan". The famous phrase,  Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the entire world is a clan) comes to mind and I can't help but wonder how, while a Buddhist country has so earnestly embraced a Vedic concept, why we, the people of the land which gave birth to such lofty thoughts, have failed to manifest it in our lives. 

On asked whether roadsides littered with plastic bags and glass bottles is a common sight in Thimpu, as it is in our big cities, his reply is in negative. " Why, us Indians can't get our act together?  Are we inherently dirty?" is the next question pounced on this young environmentalist, itching to get back to work. "I think, development came too late, and too fast at our doorstep, and we didn't know how to cope with it. As for me, not taking pride in our environment directly translates into a lack of self-respect".  A long, inadvertent sigh escapes him, as he adds,  "There are instances, when almost as soon as we have cleaned up a waterway, people just come and start dumping again."

We are dumbfounded. "Really? Don't you get discouraged?" My mom asks.

"Yes, I used to. I used to even get depressed...But, what is the point of getting depressed? There's so much work to be done, so one has to get moving, do one's best, and hope for the best. "

Arun's spirited disposition is not only contagious but gives us hope as well. 

A shadow of patient impatience flits across his face, as he points to the black Mahindra Balero parked right beside us, "Duty calls. Sorry guys, I think I should return to the office." Tapping his metal companion affectionately, he laughs, "This has been my home, my office, and my loyal friend for some time now."

 We invite him for lunch, but he has already brought a packed tiffin-box along, and doesn't want it to go waste. "For, 'waste' is what's killing this planet", are his last words to us, as we bid farewell. Indeed.