May 2016, was my last visit to Manjara river in Latur. The dried up river looked like a Marusthal (a dead habitat). After 4 years of drought, the Villagers living around this river were fighting their worst battle for survival, with bare enough water available for their daily needs. Children had stopped going to school to help their families hunt water for existence. And Government had to send water trains to meet the drinking water needs of the villagers. There were frequent instances of farmer suicides being reported in newspapers. Villagers were forced to migrate to nearby cities for survival. The situation was alarming.
August 2016, recent trip was a contrast from the last visit. From being a Marusthal Manjara has come to life now. And not only humans but the entire creation- birds, animals, plants around her are rejoicing the rebirth of Manjara. 25-30 feet of water stands in Manjara today and they say a lot more has also percolated in the ground, recharging the dried up wells. 15 km of rejuvenated Manjara is now a source of life for more than 5 lakh villagers.
Latur: Before and After river rejuvenation
What an awesome sight this was! Such great transformation took only 3 months time. After 4 years villagers have seen water standing in the river again and making best use of it they have already planted new crops. These crops are insurance for a better future and brighter times ahead for our farmers in Latur. My heart skipped a beat and tears rolled down my eyes and my throat choked in gratitude as I looked up the sky and thanked the Lord for showering his abundant grace upon our villagers. And I felt a sense of satisfaction like never before seeing the May to August contrast. Satisfaction that my life force could be useful for Jal Jagruti Abiyaan, the project that got Manjara her life again and solace for our farmers, our AnnaData.
I learnt that little can be a lot. We had put just a little effort for reviving Manjara but our villagers showered love upon us like we were God’s ourselves, wholeheartedly. All of us felt that we did very little to deserve such incredible respect from them. Our villagers have very big hearts and they treat their guests as God. Seeing Manjara come to life again has given me a new hope and renewed enthusiasm to work for the conservation of our environment and rejuvenation of our rivers. JJA is an example that If we give little attention to our water bodies, nature will support us multiple times and it would not take us long to repair the damages that have been done to these sources of life.The story of Latur is a living example.
Let us together do our little bit. As little can be a lot!
Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 
I would love to be a part of such projects
Fantastically written Vasudha ji