Anupam Mishra

Anupam Mishra (1948 – 19 December 2016) was a well-known Indian Gandhian, author, journalist, environmentalist, TED speaker, and water conservationist. Throughout his life, he constantly worked for water conservation, efficient water management, and the renewal of old-style rainwater harvesting systems.

His continuous work to save water received extensive recognition and honors for his profound impact on conserving and distributing knowledge of water-related methods.

He was born in Wardha, Maharashtra, India, in 1948. Anupam Mishra boarded a journey to save water and spread knowledge regarding water conservation. He completed his college education in 1969, and then he became associated with the Gandhi Peace Foundation in New Delhi, where he worked as an essential advocate for water conservation. 

Mishra collaborated with Chandi Prasad Bhatt, which resulted in his early participation in the Chipko campaign, a popular movement in the 1970s that worked for forest conservation through peaceful means. His certification of the movement concluded with the publication of "Chipko Movement: Uttarakhand Women's Bid to Save Forest Wealth" in 1978. It further established his status as an astute speaker of environmental activism.

In 1993, Mishra published his inspiring work, "Aaj Bhi Khare Hain Talaab" (Ponds Are Still Relevant), a combination of eight years of careful field research on old-style ponds and water supervision practices. 

The book quickly became a handbook for numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on water-harvesting initiatives. It was then deciphered into 19 languages, which includes Braille. The book reached a broad audience and contributed significantly to the spread of effective water management methods. His next book was "Rajasthan Ki Rajat Boondein" (The Radiant Raindrops of Rajasthan). This book also sheds light on water harvesting and management practices. It was focused on Western Rajasthan.

Mishra's dedication and contributions were, highly recognized and noticed. He was rewarded with the 'Amar Shaheed Chandrasekhar Azad National Award' in 2007–08 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Culture Department. It was given to recognize his commitment to spreading morals of freedom struggle, nationalism, and social service. He participated as a speaker at the 2009 TED conference, where he talked about "The Ancient Ingenuity of Water Harvesting." This further set his status as a well-informed and influential voice in the field of social service.

His remarkable journey was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 2011. The award was a piece of evidence of his weighty impact on society. Mishra worked as the editor of the bi-monthly publication "Gandhi Marg," published by the Gandhi Peace Foundation, which also showcased his dedication to promoting Gandhian principles.

Anupam Mishra worked as more than just an advocate and writer. He was a true Gandhian in both viewpoint and exercise. His warmth, attractive demeanor, and firm principles stimulated countless individuals. It made him an exemplar for those who desired to create optimistic change. Unfortunately, he died on 20 December 2016 after fighting for ten months with cancer.

In addition to the works mentioned above, his other prominent works include "Safa Mathe Ka Samaja," a publication released by Penguin India in October 2006. It further painted his vast contributions to environmental conservation and water conservation. 

He had also been honored with the 1996 Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP) award started by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. He inspired many and contributed significantly to saving the environment and water.