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One Man’s The Life and Times of JOURNEY 1961 –2008 Anil Rana

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Page 1: JOURNEY One Man’s Rana Life.pdf · Anil Rana, popularly known among relatives as ‘Pappi’ was born on 20th May 1961 in a family of academicians in Meerut District of Uttar Pradesh

One Man’s

The Life and Times of

JOURNEY

1961 –2008

Anil Rana

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A tribute from the Janhit Family

© Janhit Foundation180/7 Shastri NagarMeerut (UP)0121-2763418 / [email protected]

Designed and Printed at :

Systems Vision, New [email protected]

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This book is regarding the story of one man and his dream of establishing a fairer and more just society through his work he started at the Janhit Foundation.

The opening chapter of this book concerns Anil Rana’s early life, his childhood and relationship with his parents through to his student days and marriage to Anita, containing a personal contribution from Anita regarding their subsequent life together. The chapter also explores Anil Rana’s earlier profession as a University Lecturer.

The second chapter touches on his founding of the Janhit Foundation and the work which he initiated there. The struggles he faced in the foundations early days to its success and achievements, as well as covering the personal recognition he received from the global community.

The third chapter focuses on Anil’s passion for life and the pastimes and pleasures he partook in. The forth chapter pays homage to Anil Rana as a director and manager, with specific reference from his team and close colleagues.

Finally the book finishes with a chapter of comments and praise from family, friends and work colleagues in a mark of respect for Anil Rana and his life’s many achievements.

In reading this book it is hoped that you too can share in the story of this ordinary man and his extraordinary achievements.

Synopsis

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1. Anil Rana in his early life.............................................1

2. Anil Rana as the Pioneer of Change............................8

3. Anil Rana : Passion and Pastimes ...............................24

4. Anil Rana our Director..............................................27

5. Thoughts and Opinions ............................................29

Contents

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1.Anil Rana in his early life

All his acquaintances may have known him as the social activist solely. The image of his personal life was quite

distinct from his intense professional life. Readers of his biography will find that the Founder Director of Janhit Foundation was an humble, loving and responsible family person.

“Mein apne aap ko bahut lucky manta hun kie mujhe aisi family mili hai. Mein inhe jeevan kie saari khushiyan dena chahta hun” - Anil.

Anil Rana, popularly known among relatives as ‘Pappi’ was born on 20th May 1961 in a family of academicians in Meerut District of Uttar Pradesh. His father Shri M. S. Rana has served in over 5 Universities as a Librarian and was a passionate reader who loved his books more than anything else. His father is an author of numerous books including a Reference Guide Book to a Library. The love for books in Anil Rana was inherited from his father, a man who had been very caring towards his children, always supporting them in every way.

Mrs. Uma Rana, the proud mother who lived her life as a devoted housewife was also a strict teacher to her children.

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She was a very caring mother who was always particular and showed no traits of a carefree attitude or when it came to her children’s education or a tendency to shower praise and gifts on her children in an attempt to indulge them.

One such example of her loving affection towards her son comes from his early days as a young scholar. During the beginning of his tenth class in high school Anil had developed a considerable reluctance towards attending school due to his fear of Sanskrit classes. His lack of understanding of the subject meant that he feared total failure in class and in his own ability. His mother, deeply concerned by her son’s growing apathy, spent the next year reciting poems and stories in Sanskrit to inspire him to learn more. So much was her success that Anil went on to triumph in his 10th year and teach Sanskrit to his cousin and eventually many years later his son.

Punctuality, orderliness and precision were inherited by Anil Rana from his mother. He had two younger siblings, a sister Rekha Rana, also an academic and a brother Lt Col Ajay Singh Rana. Anil Rana was not only an elder brother but a fatherly figure to his siblings. He gave great importance to relationships throughout his life, whether it was his own kin or people associated with him in some other way. The way he lived his life surely left an indelible imprint on all his associations.

“Mere jeevan ki kamai sirf ye rishte hi hain. Mere liye paise itne mayine nahin rekhte hain, jo mayine rekhte hain vo hain samaj me izzat aur logon ka pyar” - Anil.

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Anil was a kind hearted person and often carried out acts of great generosity even at a young age, for example in childhood he used to spend his pocket money in distributing candies to the kids of domestic helpers and others much less privileged than him. A touching story that illustrates Anil’s kind heart occurred when he was at university, Anil was approach by an elderly man who was asking for assistance as he was destitute and feeling the cold of winter. Without a thought Anil gave up his rajai to the man. When asked by his mother “why did you give it away, the winter is cold and you need it yourself” Anil replied “but mummy ji I am a young man and he is old, he needs it more than me”. Many of his friends have rightly described him as a true and perfect example of a life well lived.

Anil Rana started his schooling in Delhi and returned to his family home Meerut where he finished his Secondary and Higher Secondary. The higher education continued in his birth place with him doing his Bachelors and Masters in English Literature from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. In 1983, he completed his Master’s in Philosophy in English from Kurukshetra University and immediately started teaching.

Academics was in his blood and was an inherent choice of profession at that young age of 23. He started teaching as an English lecturer in Arya College, Panipat under Kurukshetra University.

He was a young lecturer and was immensely popular among his students. One of his students was quoted saying “It was him who changed the face of Arya College as he was

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the one who brought the trend of extra curricular activities like debates, extempore, declamations, youth festivals etc. He never wanted to do just “a job”, thus extended his scope of interaction with his students, acting as a career counsellor in the city of Panipat which was not as advanced in terms of education during 1980s.”1

Anil was concerned that his students were missing out on the kind of education he was fortunate to have had and were ignorant of much of this world. Determined to improve the lives and enrich the education of his students Anil would regularly organise events at the Arya College inviting speakers from across the country to enlighten his students and share their knowledge. He often took mixed groups of students for picnics and tours building strong and positive relationships with each and every student. Anil believed that he was not only his student’s lecturer but also their friend. Students responded with enthusiasm to Anil and would hang on every word he spoke in his lectures, eager to absorb his knowledge. As a result of this they often scored very high marks in the university. Not only students but also fellow lecturers and the Principal were deeply motivated by Anil and his enthusiasm for his job. To this day he is held in high regard and remembered affectionately.

Anil Rana married Ms. Anita Malik in the year 1988. He proved to be a loyal man, devoted to one woman. Anita served as Anil’s support during his life’s trials and tribulations and remained one of the major sources of

1 Harish, A student

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inspiration behind everything he did. They grew to know and understand each other like only soul partners can, becoming the only person who could calm him when life angered and aggrieved him. Dr. Rana once described his wife as a cleanliness freak and that she had instilled that quality in him as well.

“Anil ji ke vyaktitva ko shabdon mein bayan kar pana bahut mushkil hai. Vo ek achhe pita aur pati to the hi par us se badkar vo ek bahut achhe insaan the. Mujhe apne aap par bahut garv hota hai ki mujhe aise jeevan saathi ka saath mila aur mujhe aur bhi khushi hoti thi jab vo kehte the ki Agar meri shaadi aur kahin hoti to mujhe itna achha jeevan saathi na mil pata jo mujhe samjhe aur meri kadar karta ho” – Anita Rana.

He was blessed with the birth of two sons, the first being Kartik on November 1st 1989 and 2nd being Kanishk on June 13th 1994. He wished for a good education and life complete with fulfilment and success for both his sons, treating them equally and never with any sense prejudice or favouritism. Anil always acknowledge that he was a humble man from a middle class family, but he swore he would leave no stone unturned in his pursuit for a good education and life for his sons.

Being an academic at heart he pursued his higher education from Jawahar Lal Nehru University in Delhi and completed his PhD on Influence of the Bhagvadgita on the writings of W D Thoreau. Reportedly, very social since his childhood, he chose Delhi to expand his network of friends. The number of friends he had is worth mentioning. University gave him a platform to grow from a lecturer to a social

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2 Abhishek Chaturvedi, Charities Aid Foundation India, New Delhi

activist. Anil had once said that in JNU everyone was meant to do something different, to carve a niche in one field or another. This was the place which motivated him and laid the foundation for Janhit Foundation in his mind. Abhishek Chaturvedi compliments on his dearest friend saying, “No, he was not a mere critic or a revolutionary! Also he was not the one who would grudge forever. Quietly he decided to brood in a small rented room at Meerut, leaving aside his lucrative career in academia and sweep away, every day, all confusing objects in that little space. At a time when setting up NGOs and being part of it was becoming a very selfish activity for most, he was already planting seeds for public welfare (Janhit) through civic action--even as opportunists were thronging the judiciary with PILs. The seeds soon grew into roots, stems, leaves and branches and the scent of civic deeds spread far and wide across the world. Thousands joined him and he began emerging as a cult figure...”2

The qualities inherent in him for working on the social side became manifest to people at large only once the Janhit Foundation came into being, but there are many instances in his early life that demonstrate that the flame of social justice was burning bright within him.

Anil could often be remembered as saying teaching was not for me and that he knew there was another path for him, one with a legacy that would continue long after he died. Something he achieved in the founding of his passion the Janhit Foundation.

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“To make the journey of life eventful I chose the uncommon way and at the destination when I turned back I could see a swarm of people following the same social cause” – Anil.

The following chapter of this book concerns the culmination of Anil’s early work, his dedication to social justice with a passion resulting in founding of the Janhit Foundation.

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2.Anil Rana as the Pioneer of Change

Anil’s struggle in the initial days did not set him back, rather let him dream bigger and greater things. Just as

it is said; it’s not how tough one can become that matters, but how hard a blow one can take which decides who would be a winner. When he initiated the Janhit Foundation, he had a family to feed and responsibilities to shoulder but his financial predicament did not discourage him. With the support of his family he went ahead with the noble cause.

Anil established the Janhit Foundation on the 4th of August 1998 without any funds for the work or any immediate source of funding. However what he did have in abundance was the conviction and the support of his many friends and family. The inspiration for the founding of Janhit was due to the devastation caused to the land he loved dearly, his home...the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was alarmed at the dramatic changes that had occurred since his youth, the loss of bio-diversity and the rising pollution levels. He feared that his homeland and the way of life of its people would be lost and that his grandchildren would never see the many beautiful areas he had seen as a child.

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He was deeply saddened by the poisoning of the Doab area and its sacred rivers and knew that only action now would be able to save this world renowned area.

In the beginning, the Foundation had no office so he would utilise friends’ private spaces to hold small gatherings and shared the plans he had in his mind. Through his rousing words he motivated all those who heard his words about our responsibility to conserve and protect the land which had served us so well for hundreds of generations. He assured anyone who wanted to do something to better our society that he would assist them and give them a platform through the Janhit Foundation. Anil was never disheartened by the uphill struggle that was before him in securing funds for the Foundation. Anil knew that the small funds he had were precious, so privately he would refuse food during the day or walk long distances to meetings in order to preserve the little he had for the work ahead. On one occasion when Anil had invited delegates to attend a meeting in Meerut he still had no office. He decided to host the meeting in the local photostat shop that he regularly visited. The delegates were deeply impressed by his initiative and resourcefulness in achieving so much with so little.

A great inspiration to Anil was the work and achievements of the ‘Centre for Science and Environment’ in Delhi, in particular the guidance that CSE received from its director, Ms. Sunita Narain. She had become a guru to Anil in terms of how to run and manage an NGO. His ambition was to replicate their success at Janhit Foundation.

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“Halanki desh videsh mein bahut achhi sansthaein hain, par jitna prabhavit mujhe CSE ne kiya hai, itna kisi ne nahi kiya” - Anil.

Keeping in view with this, Anil pledged to work day and night for the success of Janhit Foundation which is evident from the numerous campaigns he had successfully spearheaded in its short 10 years of existence.

In the early days Janhit concentrated on water conservation and pollution as well as the pressing issue of marginalised people’s rights to access clean and safe drinking water. Anil was 100% committed to fighting for the human rights of those less able to do so and to defend those rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration. Anil was one of the great champions of human rights work in the District of Meerut and saw the United Nations Universal Human Rights Declaration of 1947 as a milestone for humanity.

In 2002 he received his first ever funds from the CSE in Delhi to establish a Rain Centre in Meerut – the 2nd Rain Centre in the country. Through this Rain Centre he tried to answer all queries related to water. It discusses all the problems related to water and also seeks solution to them through an exhibition. It also exhibits a working model of Rain Water Harvesting Structure. The problems discussed herein expand from the local level to the national and international scenario.

It shows all the problems through colourful panels. It also comprises of a small library consisting of books and CDs dealing with water and environmental issues. Janhit also took up the responsibility of technically assisting anyone willing to implement Rain Water Harvesting.

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The impact of the Rain Centre has been stupendous as it motivated the community so much so that the last five years witnessed development of over 50 rainwater harvesting structures in Meerut alone.

In 2003, when he wished to start a program on conservation and revival of all the natural water sources in the District of Meerut, it was a surprise that there were no government records of any such resources. Thus the organisation under the leadership of Anil Rana took up the burdensome task of developing a detailed water census of the district. It was successfully developed under the name ‘pani ghano anmol’ which ran into over 300 pages and covered almost 663 villages spread all over the district. This report was the only of its kind in the country and detailed each village’s demographic profile. It also detailed the number of wells, ponds, johads, any small river or rivulets running across a particular village. It specified the present situation and the area of each of the water resource. The report revealed that Meerut had 3062 ponds but presently only 1944 ponds exist. The figures were surprising and demanded the clear need of conservation of at least the existing ones and hopefully revive the defunct ones. Most of these ponds have been encroached upon and the wells are either being used as community dustbins or have been connected to toilet outlets so that none of them are fit for use.

The well thought-of idea of documenting the water resources of Meerut has gone a long way in being used as a research source for not only students but government departments related to the water issue and even Hydrologists take advantage of the report. Based on the report, the Government of India has formed a committee

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under the chairmanship of Prof. Varshney to draft policies on conservation of water resources. The same has also been used by the district authorities to conserve them.

Anil Rana’s sensitivity to the growing water crisis looming large at the doorsteps of the region led Janhit Foundation to initiate a program called ‘Talab Bachao Abhiyan’. This program was focussed on rural areas and it was decided that identified villages will observer a revival of a pond which has died down and also a well would be developed in that particular village. The project was a success due to contributions from the local community who cooperated in not only donating their land but also participated with their manual labour. This created awareness about the importance of the pond and other fresh water sources amongst the villagers. The revival of these ponds has contributed towards increasing the ground water level in those areas.

His interests, endeavours and achievements in the field of Water Conservation and Protection gave him the name of Jal Yoddha. He inducted 500 Jal Bhais and Jal Bahens and activists who have volunteered towards the efforts of water conservation. In Anil’s own words “I would like to see the day when people, at least in my region, have access to pure drinking water”. He further added that “We would strive to bring back the lost image of water scarce and contaminated drinking water region to water-sufficient and pure drinking water area”.

It was not that he was only concerned about present and future but he equally valued the heritage of his homeland. The district of Meerut and adjoining areas have enjoyed a prominent place in Indian history and its water

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bodies, whether it be Gandhari Sarovar or Pakka talab or Gagol Sarovar or Karna pond and a lot more have found a mention in the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Some of these water bodies date back to the time of Mughals. They are all important from the point of view of history. Thus to save history from oblivion and ensure that it reaches the future generation, Janhit Foundation decided to come out with a publication detailing the water history of this region. It came to public hands in the form of Pashchimi Uttar Pradesh ke Jalashay: Ek Aithihasik Virasat.

The book ran into 80 pages and discussed 24 water bodies from both Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, 11 from Ghaziabad and 3 from Baghpat. It talked about their origin, existence, historical importance and also about their present predicament. Most of these water bodies are now nearing extinction and due to this publication, the future generations would at least be aware of their heritage. Even the Government Authorities have started thinking towards their revival.

Since the inception of Janhit Foundation, Anil Rana had been worried about the impending water crisis facing the region. The over-extraction of ground water is one of the major sources contributing to the water crisis. Thus taking a step towards water governance Janhit Foundation went into initial discussion with the state government and took up the task of drafting a Ground Water Policy for the state of Uttar Pradesh. Working towards the same purpose a 2 day conference was organised in Allahabad where government officials, water experts, legislators and other organisations working on water crisis were invited from all over the country. The first draft of the policy was put forth

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publicly in July 2008 where suggestions and changes were sought.

It is hoped that the policy shall be submitted to the State Government so that it can be implemented in order to improve the water status in the region. It will also create a model which can be implemented in other states as well, with appropriate modifications.

His contribution has been immense in saving people’s lives by inducing industries to pay for the environmental damage they cause and remind them of their corporate social responsibility. Daurala is one of the success stories he carved out of the dismal scene.

Daurala is a semi urban area located around 15 kms from the District Head Quarters and supports an industrial area consisting of 3 large scale industries. Thus the place had high levels of pollution and the consequent health crisis which was reported by Janhit Foundation in a book titled ‘Daurala: Hell on Earth’. The book reported the social and economic impact on the inhabitants of the village supported by proper statistics. The book had a grave impact on the Industrial Group which accepted its ignorance towards the rising Industrial Pollution and promised to work towards the solution of the problems being faced by the adjoining villagers. Ultimately due to the pressure created by Janhit Foundation and the local community, the Industrial Group spent a substantial amount of money and established an overhead tank so that safe and clean drinking water could be provided to the local inhabitants. In addition to this, free medical facilities were made available to inhabitants and Rain Water Harvesting was adopted in order to decrease the level of pollution.

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Once the efforts materialised, Janhit Foundation in order to appreciate the efforts of the Industrial Group published a book titled ‘Restoring Daurala: Mitigating Industrial Pollution’. This was the first study of its kind where due to the efforts of a nongovernmental organisation and local community, concrete efforts were put in by the Industry in order to ensure welfare of the affected population. This study has also found place in the Geography text book ‘India, People and Economy’ published by NCERT and taught in Class XII.

However big a problem he never feared to intervene in search of a solution. In his words “If you see something wrong is happening in the society, you must at least intervene”. The events of Jaibheem Nagar are definitely worth a mention here. Jaibheem Nagar is a slum locality located within the Municipal Limits of Meerut inhabiting over 15000 people. The slum dwellers that elect a Municipal representative contribute to the election of MLA or MP were deprived of the right to safe and clean drinking water. Anil Rana came to know the problem of the locality and with unending enthusiasm started working on the issue. The issue was highlighted through a decorated publication of Janhit Foundation which detailed the health and environmental aspects of the problem faced by the slum dwellers.

First the local authorities were approached concerning the problem but when they turned a blind eye, Janhit Foundation took up the issue to the international organisation FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN) which ultimately wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office and thus the message was passed on to the office of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This led to sanctioning

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of money to the Jal Nigam of Meerut so that safe and clean drinking water provisions were made for the locality.

Wherever he saw was a situation of Human Rights Violation to food or water, he never thought of the supposed differences and divisions between him and the victims. This was a fact that led him to think & react on behalf of the poor villagers of Malsinghwala in Punjab which stood for sale.

This village is a part of Mansa District of Punjab and inhabits over 350 families. The village was available for sale in absence of provisions for drinking water and irrigational water which resulted in the poor villagers having no choice but to migrate from their ancestral home. They had to travel approximately 2kms everyday to fetch clean drinking water. The issue was again raised by the organisation through a publication which deliberated on the problems faced by the inhabitants with clear statistics on health situation of the village. The report was also submitted to FIAN and the government. As a result the government, both at the state as well as the central level, have been made aware of the problem.

As mentioned earlier he never stepped back from intervening when it came to environmental or health issues because he dreamt of gifting a better future to his fellow people. Hence a detailed research document was published by Janhit Foundation after carrying out a thorough analysis of pollution in the Hindon River running through 6 districts of western Uttar Pradesh. The river with its two major tributaries namely Kali and Krishni were a major source of surface water for this region. But the levels of increasing pollution have converted the river

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into a drain, unfit for use. The study conducted by Janhit Foundation also analysed the health and water situation in the villages located in the catchment area of these rivers.

On the basis of the report, Janhit Foundation filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Honourable High Court of Allahabad pleading for a cease in untreated waste to be disposed of into the river and also demanding proper basic amenities for the villages located on the catchment and affected by the river.

From 1998 the main focus of the Foundation was on water, however by 2003 Anil was ready to lead the Foundation to new spheres of work. After spending many years considering the impacts of the green revolution and its social and environmental impacts, he had become increasingly concerned at the use of agro-chemicals in the farming practices of the region and had experience of their devastating effects within the field of water. Thus Anil strived for the Foundation to push for promoting and switch to organic farming. He originally started with 50 farmers and rapidly expanded the programme. He was encouraged and supported in this work by his esteemed companion and fellow professional Sh. Sompal Shastri ji whom with whom he had been associated since the very beginning of the Foundation in 1998. Anil first met him at a conference where they discussed his plans and Sompal ji expressed whether the Foundation could really make a difference in western U.P. However over the following years Sompal ji came to see his earlier comment going wrong and he became greatly impressed by the work of Anil and the Foundation. The two men developed a close

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bond based on mutual respect and they shared the same aspirations for the development of the homeland they loved with such enthusiasm. Often Anil would speak of Sompal ji saying,

“Sompal Ji ek bahut hi saaf chhavi ke insaan hain aur saath hi ek bahut achhe vakta hain. Mujhe inse milke bahut kuch seekhne ko mila hai. Mujhe kaam karne ki prerna inhi se mili hai, inhone hamesha mujhe protsahan diya hai aur mere kaam ko saraha hai” - Anil.

Sompal ji expressed his high regard for Anil and the objectives the Foundation was meeting by stating that he had achieved so little as a minister yet Anil had been able to achieve so much as an ordinary citizen. Anil shared a long term dream with Sompal ji to turn the Meerut District into an organic heaven for farming. He was aware that in achieving this there would be challenges from the farmers and large corporations but nonetheless this did not deter him from his dream.

His concern for consumption of healthy food, adequate remuneration to those producing it also makes it worth referring to him as Jaivik Yoddha. His courageous steps upgraded the life of many farmers in western U.P.

In 2005, Janhit Foundation in association with International Project on Elimination of POPs, initiated a program conducting research on the usage of banned POPs in this region called Research Analysis on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). For the same purpose, soil, vegetables and water samples from Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad and Gautambudhnagar were taken and sent for analysis. The reports were surprising

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as 6 out of 12 banned POPs were found abundantly in the samples. The report was published by various media sources and a question related to the issue was raised in both houses of parliament and ultimately the state government of Uttar Pradesh sought these reports from Janhit Foundation which were used by the then Agricultural Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar to answer the questions and look for relevant solutions.

Anil Rana had always aimed at overall development of the poverty-struck farmer and thus under the banner of Janhit Foundation brought a project named Seed to Market for the farmers of this region. Through this project various farmers were identified and soil sample analysis was carried out, the farmers were provided with high quality seeds of organic nature. They were also provided with training, educating them on organic aspects of agriculture. Ultimately a platform for the farmers was provided, where they were able to sell their organic crops, under the banner of Organic Aaharam, which was the first organic store in Uttar Pradesh. Here the farmers are able to get better rates and are able to communicate with the customers directly. The project motivated a great deal of farmers and they got associated with this project. Janhit Foundation is continuously working towards achieving Anil Rana’s dream of making the District of Meerut an Organic District.

After a successful analysis of the use of harmful Persistent Organic Pollutants in the region, Anil Rana wished to create a model and thus Janhit Foundation took up another important project expanding to four blocks each of Meerut and Muzaffarnagar. This project aimed at Elimination of Lindane and Endosulphan in the region

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and provided the farmers with an alternative Bio-pesticide in the form of Harit Pani, Vermi Compost etc. Soil sample analysis were carried out on the farms of the farmers associated with the project and on the basis of another soil sample analysis going to take place. As per the dreams of its founder, Janhit Foundation would present a report to the Ministry of Agriculture advocating a ban on the use of Lindane and Endosulphan as is already in place in more than 50 countries around the globe.

An innovative project on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants was initiated by Janhit Foundation (making use of the indigenous knowledge) in order to provide income enhancement to farmers having small landholdings. They were suggested an alternative of growing citronella, lemongrass and neem in order to enjoy a better income from less farmland. The produce of these plants sells at a good rate and provides a higher income. The processing unit of these products was also set up to give a full platform to these farmers so that they do not depend on any external sources. This project proved to be of great benefit to the farmers associated with it and thus a lot of other farmers also became involved.

Sugarcane is predominantly grown in this area and it is associated with a lot of chemical pesticides and insecticides. Anil Rana felt that the farmers associated with sugarcane should be provided with alternate organic method to grow it and add additional value to their crop. Hence the project on Organic Sugarcane was taken up by Janhit Foundation in order to motivate farmers to grow organic sugarcane and subsequently organic jaggery and brown sugar were produced and sold in the market. Thus again helping these farmers increase their income

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opportunities. Realising the demand for these products more farmers have taken to the idea.

Another motivation Anil had for the formation of Janhit Foundation, behind the curtain though initially, was conservation of the declining bio- diversity. In this regard he went ahead with establishing a Bio-Diversity Gardens in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut District. In addition Janhit Foundation, under the able leadership of Anil Rana, has taken steps towards safeguarding the rights of poor children through the CHILDLINE service. CHILDLINE, a telephone-helpline service available 24x7 for children below the age of 18 years, principally focuses on marginalised groups and was started in Meerut in April 2007. Meerut CHILDLINE is running successfully under the aegis of Janhit Foundation and has been acting as a benefactor to a growing number of children seeking medical assistance, physiological assistance and those who are missing etc.

One instance worth mentioning at this point concerns when Anil Rana ji would be walking home from work. On the way he would pass a slum where he used to see small children playing and one day he could not resist stopping at the slum. He talked with a few people at the slum and the children asking if they went to school for studying. Surprisingly, most of the children were not enrolled in the schools due to lack of funds, but were very keen to study. Taking care of these poor deprived children, he initiated a non-formal school named ‘Gyan Ashram’ in the slum which at present provides free education to about 60 children who had never been given the opportunity to attend school of any kind. Initially the children were taught under the shade

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of a tree but then this became impossible during the rains. So he initiated the construction of a bamboo hut in order to provide a classroom where the children could be taught daily.

The organization now has two staff members regularly teaching these children about the culture of our country, environmental issues, the Indian National Movement, hygiene and sanitation, first aid, general knowledge and related issues through interesting approaches and games. Health camps are regularly organized in these slums and a centre has been opened by the local Anganwadi to provide midday meals to the children. Vocational training is also being imparted to these children by the staff of the organisation.

Another ‘Gyan Ashram’ has been initiated in another slum near the office which takes care of approximately 50 children.

Legal achievements of Anil Rana

Anil Rana encouraged the Foundation to challenge the authorities through appropriate legal channels. He had successfully filed eight Public Interest Litigations (PILs) with the high court of Allahabad. One such example is a fitting example of the determination and commitment that Anil showed throughout his working life. One morning while relaxing over a local daily newspaper he read that the local authorities were planning to destroy a sanctified ‘greenbelt zone’ located at Abu Lane Meerut with the aim of expanding the existing road network in 2 days time.

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Anil felt deep dismay and the same evening boarded a train without any reservation to Allahabad. The following morning he reached Allahabad and presented the PIL to the high court. By the next morning the chief justice issued Anil with a stay order which he faxed back to the Meerut office for staff to present to authorities in charge within minutes of them starting the machines to destroy the area. As a result he was able to save the greenbelt!

Awards and Citations conferred upon Anil Rana

Anil Rana ji was invited by the Parliamentary Forum on Water to deliver a presentation on ‘The role of Parliamentarians towards finding solutions to the water crisis including water availability and contamination etc. to the Members of Parliament in 2008.

He had also been conferred the prestigious ‘One World Award’ in 2008 by IFOAM and Rapunzel, for his outstanding contribution towards nature conservation, biodiversity conservation, organic agriculture and activities which have brought a change in the lives of community at large, both economically and socially.

He had also been given an Appreciation Certificate by Water Aid and also by the Govt. of UP for his efforts towards water conservation.

Often after becoming successful we tend to get distracted in celebrating that success but Anil’s was a different story. Anil Rana did not forget the difficulties faced by his fellow people. He was a man who dreamt of Uttar Pradesh as a better place to live in.

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3.Anil Rana : Passion and Pastimes

Anil was an explorer at heart and loved to try all things new, in particular food from around India and the

world. When abroad he would always try exotic vegetarian dishes that he had not seen or heard of in India. He saw food as an accessible portal to explore new cultures. He was an avid traveller and very conscious that there was a whole world beyond the one in which he lived and would have deeply liked to spend time seeing it for himself. He also had a great love of fragrances and much to his co-workers delight would fill his office with delightful scents. Anil was a true advocate of the written word and believed strongly in its ability to impart knowledge; he would not only read academic papers but novels, poems and all kinds of literature, in particular the works of one of the finest playwrights William Shakespeare. Not only a keen reader he was also an accomplished writer, passionate about sharing his own knowledge with others. With a contribution of over 250 articles published in the English and Hindi Anil Rana had a wide range of experiences with a deep understanding of various issues concerning water and organic farming across the country.

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Anil was a true connoisseur of Indian culture and in particular music. He had a vast eclectic collection of music ranging from Bollywood classics, traditional folk and classical music. His favourites were Rafi, Kishore, Udit Narayan, Lata Mangeshkar and Anu Malik including songs from the movie Veer Zaara. He would often play these songs while working or before he slept at night to induce a feeling of contentment.

Anil was highly accomplished in socially networking, not only with professionals but with friends too. Often befriending people in brief encounters such as on train journeys or at a conference. As a result the contact list in his diary ran into thousands of pages. He built strong links with other NGOs and teams across the world and fostered links between those interested in the work he was doing and wanted to offer their own contributions. He achieved this through working with 2Way Development in the UK and as a result has hosted over three volunteers. This continues to this day.

Anil was a man driven by compassion for his fellow beings whether man or beast, a true human worthy of the praise he received. We would like to share one story with you that demonstrates this. One day when returning home from work Anil noticed a small child crying in the street, he approached him and asked what was that made him so unhappy. The child explained that he was a balloon seller and that while returning home he was attacked and beaten by a man who then stole all his money. The child distraught with tears explained to Anil that he no longer had any money to take home to his family to buy food for

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their evening meal and that they would have to go hungry. Anil was deeply moved by the boy’s plightt, he felt that his young life was already difficult without others adding to his troubles. He offered the boy all the money he had lost as well as to buy an imaginary balloon. The boy looked at Anil and with the innocence that only a child has, said “man has two faces, one that can rob me off my money and the other to gift me it back although he does not know me”. With this act of charity Anil had gone some way to restore the child’s faith in humanity.

Anil’s passing away came as a great shock to all those who knew him. His death was a tragic curtain on a promising life. At the age of 45, Anil still had a promising future with many great achievements ahead of him. He has left a great legacy behind him not only in his tangible work but also in the form of spirit and passion that he had installed in all those who had the privilege to work with him. Since his death his mantle has been taken up by his wife Anita, who during a period of great turmoil and strife has successfully continued the work of Anil and guided the Foundation through its most difficult period. Rest assured he would be immensely proud of his wife and what she has gone on to achieve in his absence. Not only has Anita strived to maintain the good work of the Foundation, along with the team Anil built, many of who have been deeply moved by him and determined to continue the work which he started a decade ago.

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Anil Rana at the One World Award function alongside the other finalists

With Dr. Abel Hernandez, a propenent of Agnihotra

Releasing of 'Pashchimi Uttar Pradesh ke Jalashay: Ek Aitihasik Viraasat'

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Water was a subject he was never short of words for

At a two-day National Seminar organised at Allahabad on Groundwater Contamination in UP

Visiting an art instilationin Geneva

Outside the United Nation Headquarters in Geneva

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With the FIAN team

On the tourist trail

Posing with the local heroes

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On lake Geneva

Love of books was a constant undercurrent in his life

Unaware that his time with us was ticking. He sadly passed away three months after this trip

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With a local monument

Admiring the flora

Explaining the environmental concerns to the officials from the Daurala Sugar Works

Two visionaries walk side by side. Anil with Sompal Shastri Ji

An acknowledgement by UNICEF and Water Aid for Anil’s achievements

The attentive listener

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With a fellow participant at the World Organic Congress

Popularising Rain Water Harvesting in Meerut

Honouring Dr. S. B. Singh, Sr. Scientist, CGWB

Inaugurating the Rain Centre at Meerut with dignitaries

Taking the members of the Ladies Club for a round of the exhibition at the Rain Centre

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In the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Inaugurating the Herbal Resource Centre at S.D. Public School, Muzaffarnagar

Receiving the One World Award on behalf of Janhit Foundation in Modena, Italy

Anil in a seminar by Water Aid and UNICEF in Delhi

Encouraging local people to take responsibility for their own water resources

Sharing the platform with Vandana Shiva in a public meeting on Ganga pollution

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Addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Water

With CHILDLINE officials in a meeting

Giving an introductory speech on organic farming techniques

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With Mr. Naimur Rehman, Head, One World South Asia at village Khandrawali in Meerut district

Welcoming the delegates at a National Conference organised by the Janhit Foundation

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A discussion with Sudhirendar Sharma

Explainig his mission to the distinguished citizens of Meerut

With Ms. Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science and Environment inaugurating the Shramdan for the restoration of Gandhari talaab in Meerut

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Two legends together

With Sunderlal Bahuguna ji

Lending his support to a tree planting initiative

Addressing an informal gathering of farmers

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Briefing the press on Janhit Foundation's initiatives

Providing training in organic farming techniques

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At a Paani Panchayat with Kaushal Kumar Sharma, Lecturer at Deptt of Geography, Kirorimal College, New Delhi

Seminar on organic farming in the presence of Mahendra Singh Tikait ji, Sompal Shastri ji, K K Roy and others

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Release of the ‘Restoring Daurala’ publication

Taking Ahish Tiwari, DFO, Meerut on a tour of the Herbal Garden

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At a workshop on vermiculture in Meerut An accomplished speaker

During his initial days at Janhit

Awarding the trophy to the Eco Club students of S.D. Public School, Muzaffarnagar

At the inauguration of Organic Aaharam with Vasant Saberwal from Ford Foundation and Satish Chander, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

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Anil Rana Anita Rana

Kartik Rana Kanishk Rana

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4.Anil Rana our Director

Those who have worked in the Janhit Team have been fortunate enough to have worked under a truly noble director, a man whose style and nature of management was unique and all encompassing.

Anil is often spoken of by his team as a dedicated manager, concerned deeply not only for the welfare of the organisation but also of those that work within it. He was ever the giver and never the taker.

Anil was a determined director, who lead his team with such vigour and passion that those working with him could not help but follow. He was eager to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for all those in the office. Often on occasions demanding that his staff cease working at 5.30pm and join him for an hour of relaxation and discussion on whatever was the hot topic of the day. There was nothing more he liked to hear from his office than the laughter of his colleagues. He was a firm believer in a happy work force being a productive one. He also dispensed with traditional hierarchies of management, ensuring that all those from guard to senior managers were treated with respect and dignity. He created a secure and safe environment for all his staff, for the female workers in particular.

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Anil was infamous for his moments of anger; such was his passion and determination that at times this would boil over into fury. This could only be incurred by people’s carelessness and poor quality of work. He would make a point of sitting down with the team to apologise for his outburst but also wanting to explain that it was only due to his desire for the organisation to succeed.

He took the same approach he had fostered as a lecturer into his role as a director of the NGO, wanting his staff not to fear or respect him solely as their manager but as their friend and co-worker. He was always there for his team, through times of trials and tribulations as well as times of celebration and joy. He wished to share every aspect of their life with them.

Anil was an influential man whose passion for what he loved most would rub off on those around him in an almost infectious manner, in particular his love of chai. His liking for chai was akin to the Englishman’s fervour for tea. He would drink chai every half an hour religiously. So much was his love of chai that he instigated a revolving chai making policy in which the burden of chai making was shared by all in the office.

The void left by his death was evident in the office and for many days the team felt lost and bewildered. But remembering his passion and determination they have continued his work in the same vein, working harder today than ever before to achieve Anil Sir’s dreams which he had shared with them.

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5Thoughts and Opinionsby family, friends and colleagues

The following pages consist of the personal contributions from those fortunate enough to have known Anil in his brief but compelling life. They are from family, friends and colleagues.

vfuy th esjs thou dk og fgLlk gaS tks dHkh Hkh eq>ls nwj ugha gks ldrk gSA ij muds tkus ds ckn tc Hkh eSa tufgr dh rjQ ns[krh gwW rks yxrk gS fd vfuy th ge yksxksa ds chp gh gSaA mudk nwljksa ds izfr n;k Hkko okyk LoHkko ges’kk ls esjs fy, fny dks Nwus okyk jgk gSA vfuy th ges’kk igys nwljksa ds ckjs esa lksprs Fks o vius ckjs esa ckn esa lksprs FksA vkSj xyr dke u rks djrs Fks u gh og viuh vkaW[kksa ls fdlh xyr dke dks gksrs gq, ns[k ldrs FksA mudk ges’kk cM+s lius ns[kuk vkSj mu liuksa dks iwjk djus dk iz;kl jgrk FkkA og viuh /kqu ds cgqr gh iDds Fks o mUgksaus ftl Hkh pht+ dks gkfly djuk pkgk] mls viuh esgur o yXku ls fd;k gSA mudk eu lnk ml dke dks djus dks djrk Fkk tks eqf’dyksa ls Hkjk gqvk gksrk FkkA vfuy gj pht ds Hkyk cqjk dk vkdayu djds gh fu.kZ; ysrs Fks o muds vUnj ,d ,slh izfrHkk fNih Fkh ftlls gj balku izHkkfor gks tkrk FkkA mudh dgh ,d&,d ckr eq>s lnk ;kn jgsXkhA og i<+us ds o ?kweus ds cgqr 'kkSfdu FksA gj tUe esa eSa pkgrh gw¡ fd vfuy th gh thoulkFkh ds :Ik esa eq>s feysA

Jherh vfurk jk.kkfunsf’kdk] tufgr QkmaMs’ku

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Anil Rana will always be remembered for his significant contribution in rejuvenating traditional water harvesting structures and ponds in and around Meerut and also for his contribution in creating awareness on these issues. We at CSE also had opportunity to observe closely his remarkable work on water quality issues. Though Anilbhai is no longer with us, he has left an institution and a legacy behind and I am sure his colleagues at Janhit Foundation will continue the great work he started.

Sunita NarainDirector, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

Dr. Anil Rana was that rare individual able to translate a sophisticated vision into a ground reality, and to do so in the most humble and self-effacing of ways. Under his wonderful leadership, Janhit Foundation has grown into a nationally recognized NGO, with support from a wide range of research, donor and government institutions. Dr. Rana wasn’t interested in small battles, and this shows through in the initiatives that Janhit Foundation undertook over the past decade, including the successful campaign against DCM’s pollution of drinking water in Daurala, and the campaign to reduce farmer use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in Meerut district, in the very heart of Green Revoultion country. High quality research always formed a core part of Janhit’s work, and this is also well reflected in the wonderful survey of Meerut district’s water bodies, and the well known Daurala report. Rana ji’s integrity, his vision and his attention to detail will be missed, and his

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passing is a cruel blow to family and friends, but also for all the wonderful projects he was working on.

Vasant SaberwalFord Foundation, New Delhi

Dr. Anil Rana and myself have shared golden moments and day long discussions on various water related issues and still remember those days of his association. Today he is no longer with us but his memories are always in my heart and whenever remember about him my eyes filled with tears. We all have missed a dynamic crusader of water in this country and I feel his absence must have created a vacuum in the JANHIT FOUNDATION for which he had dedicated his services.

At his anniversary let us all join hands together to carry forward the milestones set by Dr. Rana for the betterment of the society and keep his mission alive in the years to come.

Dr. S.B. SINGHCentral Grond Water Borad, New Delhi

'kk;n ;g lu~ 2001 dh lnhZ jgh gksxhA ge mÙkj izns'k ds pkj fe= f'keyk ls dkydk vkus okyh fo'ks"k xkM+h ls ykSV jgs FksA gekjs fMCcs esaa gekjs lkFk gh lathoxh ds lkFk gh ,d ukStoku cSBk gqvk Fkk tks [kkeks'kh ls gekjh ckrsa lqu jgk FkkA gekjh Vhe esa lS;n vyh eatj vkSj vfouk'k iz/kku Fks] tks 'ksjks&'kk;jh dk lek ck¡/ks gq, FksA bu lcdks pqipki lqqurk vkSj yqRQ ysrs ml lkFkh ds psgjs dks ns[kdj yxk fd ;s rks nks fnu ls py jgs ekuokfèkdkj vk;ksXk vkSj lh0 ,p0 vkj0 vkbZ0 }kjk cqyk, Xk, lEesyu esa 'kkfey FksA Lkadksp dks rksM+rs gq, mUgksaus viuk uke vfuy jk.kk crk;k vkSj tufgr QkmMas'ku dk

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ifjp; fn;kA /kheh xfr ls pyrh Vsªu ds ckgj vk¡[kksa esa terh tkrh f'keyk&lyksu dh [kwclwjr igkfM+;k¡] ?kkfV;kWa] ufn;kWa vkSj fMCcs ds Hkhrj tokgj yky usg: fo'ofo|ky; ds vius Nk= thou ds fe=ksa dh varjax ppkZ djrs vkSj tufgr QkmaMs'ku ds 'kq:vkrh iz;klksa dks crkrs ge dc dkydk igqWps] ;kn ugha jgk dc ifjp; ls 'kq: gqvk vkSj ,d gh lQj esa ge iDds fe= gks x;sA eq>s igyh eqykdkr esa gh nks rhu phtsa le> esa vk;hA ,d rks ;g fd jk.kk lkgc nksLrh esa igys gkFk ugha c<+krs vkSj vxj fny&fnekx fey x;k rks lkFk dHkh ugha NksM+rsA nwljs] [kkeks'k lk fn[kus okyk ;g 'k[l njvly xqelqe ugh jgrk gSA tehu ij iSj tekdj os vkdk'k ij ,d ,slk bUnz /kuq"k [khapuk pkgrs Fks] ftls nqfu;k ns[ks vkSj mUgksaus bls lp dj ds fn[kk fn;kA nl lky ls Hkh de le; esa tufgr QkmaMs'ku vkSj vfuy jk.kk dk uke izns'k dh lhek ls ykW?k dj ns'k ds pkjksa rjQ QSyk vkSj fQj ns'k dh ljgn dks ikj dj varjkZ"Vªh; eapksa ij txexkus yxkA mudks tkuus okys tkurs gS fd bldks ikus ds fy, fdruh dBksj lk/kuk dh Fkh mUgksaus A lc dqN nk¡o ij yxk fn;kA ukSdjh NksM+h vkSj lM+d ij vk x;sA dHkh brus iSls Hkh ugha jgrs Fks fd vkWVks dj ysA v[kckjksa esa ys[k fy[ksa vkSj euhvkMZj dk bUrtkj u dj mlds vkWfQl igqWp x;s ikfjJfed ysusA QksVks LVsV dh nqdku dh csap dks vkWfQl dh rjg bLrseky fd;k vkSj tc dqN ugha fn[kk rks iRuh ds xgus lqukj dh nqdku ij csp MkysA iRuh dks Hkh iwjk fo'okl Fkk fd jk.kk lkgc ds lius dks gdhdr esa cnyus ds fy, lc dqN U;kSNkoj fd;k tk ldrk gSA bykgkckn tc Hkh vkrs] gksVy esa dHkh ugha :dsA izse th mUgsa LVs'ku ij fjlho djrs vkSj fQj lh/ks gekjs ?kj ijA ,sls gh ,d fnu os crkus yxs fd lcls igys lh0 ,l0 bZ0 dh lquhrk ukjk;.k us mUgsa igyk izkstsDV fn;kA NksVk Fkk ysfdu fnu&jkr yxdj mUgksaus dke fd;k vkSj fQj vkxs dk jkLrk curk pyk x;kA mudh vkSj muds lkfFk;ksa dh riL;k eq>s rc le> esa vkus yxh tc muds }kjk mBk;s x;s lokyksa ij geus bykgkckn gkbZdksVZ esa tufgr ;kfpdk;sa djuh 'kq: dhA eq>s ;kn gS fd fg.Mu unh dks iznw"k.k eqDr djus ds loky ij nkf[ky tufgr ;kfpdk esa tc phQ tfLVl ,- ,u- jk; us

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fg.Mu ij Nih fdrkc ds iUus iyVus 'kq: fd;s rks Hkjh dksVZ esa vius dks ;g dgus ls jksd ugha ik;s fd ftu yksxksa us ;g dke fd;k gS] os lEeku ds ;ksX; gSA lpeqp jk.kk lkgc HkxhjFk dh rjQ y{; dh vksj >qdrs FksA tjk lksfp;s] fg.Mu unh lgkjuiqj ds iqj dk Vkadk xk¡o ls fudydj 6 ftyksa ls gksrh gqbZ xkSre cq) uxj ds fryokjk xkWo ds nf{k.k esa ;equk esa fxjus ds igys 260 fdeh0 dk lQj r; djrh gSA jkLrs esa fdruh vkSj dkyh unh vius tgjhys ty ds lkFk mleas foyhu gksrh gSA jkLrs Hkj esa 32 isij fey] dqN 70 QSDVfj;k¡] cs[kkSQ viuk vifo"V bl ifo= unh esa Mky jgh gSA bl nqxZe jkLrksa ij jk.kk lkgc vkSj tufgr dh Vhe eghuksa pyrs jgsA gj xk¡o] dLcs] 'kgj dh iM+rky djrs gq,A fg.Mu unh ls fdrkc ds izLrkouk esa jk.kk lkgc us ftl rjg ls ghFkj ysfol] jeu R;kxh vkSj lkfFk;ksa dks ftl rjg ls ;kn fd;k gS] og mudh egkurk dk thoar nLrkost gSA ;g lkfcr djrk gS fd fdlh [;kfr dks flQZ viuh >ksyh esa Mkyus esa mudk fo'okl ugha jgkA os viuh Vhe dks Hkh vkxs c<+krs jgsA

esajB esa f'k{kd ohj flag] QkmaMs'ku dh lq:fp] lksuk{kh] latho ftl rjg ls jk.kk th dks ;kn djrs gSa] rks yxrk gS fd fdlh O;fDr ds u jgus ij tks ewY;kadu gksrk gS lR; gksrk gSA dkyh unh ds fdukjs tu tkxj.k in;k=k djus ds ckn vknj.kh; lkseiky th us esjB ds ,d lHkk esa dgk Fkk fd eSa vius ekVh ds _.k ls m_.k gks ld¡wA 'kk;n ;gh Hkko vfuy th esa jgk gksxk] tc vkcwysu esa lM+d foLrkj ds uke ij gjs isM+ks ij dqYgkM+h pyus dh ukScr vk;h rks rqjar bykgkckn vk;s vkSj gkbdksVZ ls LVs ys x;sA t;Hkheuxj dh nfyr&xjhc cLrh ds yksxksa dk eLrd vQljksa ds pkS[kV ij lj iVd&iVd dj ygqywgku gks pqdk FkkA esfMdy dkysst dh xanxh us muds ihus ds ikuh esa fo"k ?kksy fn;k FkkA uy ls ikuh Hkjus ds loky ij gR;k,a gks pqdh FkhA iznw"k.k us dbZ ckf'kUnksa dks ekSr dh uhan lqyk fn;k FkkA tc jk.kk th dks iz'kklu vkSj vf/kdkfj;ksa dh fuf"Ø;rk rFkk xjhc yksxksa dh eqlhcr dk irk pyk rks mUgksaus mls pqukSrh ds :i esa fy;k] tufgr ;kfpdk dh] esjB] y[kuÅ vkSj fnYyh esa nkSM+ yxkrs jgs vkSj vkt ogk¡ gkykr

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cny jgsa gSaA ihus ds 'kq) ikuh dh O;oLFkk gks jgh gSSA jk.kk lkgc vkSj tufgr QkmaMs'ku dk nkSjkyk dk iz;ksx Hkh mÙkj izns'k esa vius <ax dk vuwBk FkkA mUgkasus vius deZ ls lkfcr dj fn;k fd ufn;ksa vkSj ty&L=ksrksa dks cpkus dh yM+kbZ esa os futh yksxksa vkSj ckgjh nckcksa ds vkxs >qd ugha ldrsA muds igy dneh ij tc nkSjkyk m|ksx pykus okyksa us [kqn gh izLrko fd;k fd os iznw"k.k ls cckZn Ik;kZoj.k dks cpkus esa [kqn dk ;ksxnku djuk pkgrs gSa rks jk.kk th us mls Lohdkj dj fy;k vkSj fQj /khjs&/khjs iznw"k.k QSykus okyksa dks mUgksaus iznw"k.k jksdus ds dke esa tek fd;kA ftu yksxksa us nkSjkyk dh nwljh fjiksVZ ns[kh gksxh] mUgas vkHkkl gksxk fd dSls tufgr QkmaMs'ku rLohj vkSj rdnhj nksuksa cnyus esa l{ke gSA jsu okVj gkosZfLVax ds tfj;s ty laj{k.k ,oe~ HkwxHkZ ty lao/kZu dk chM+k mBkdj mUgksaus izns'k Hkj esa ,d tu tkx`fr QSyk nh FkhA ,d vUos’ku o euh"kh dh rjg mUgksaus ,sfrgkfld rkykcksa] rM+kxksa ,oe~ ty L=ksrks dh [kkst esa tqVs FksA tc iatkc] egkjk"Vª] vkU/kz esa fdlku jkl;fud [kknksa o th ,e lhM~l vkSj cSad dtksZ dh pisV esa vkdj vkRegR;k djus yxs rks jk.kk lkgc us vkWjxsfud QkfeZx dk fcxqy ctkdj if'pe mÙkj izns'k ds fdlkuksa esa ;g lans'k fn;k fd fo'o cSad] cgqjk"Vªh; daifu;ksa ds edM+tky dks rksM+dj gekjs fdlku vius lalk/kuksa ls bl ns'k ds djksM+ks yksxksa dk isV Hkj ldrs gS vkSj vukt dk fu;kZr dj ldrs gSaA

vkt tc ge fe=x.k lat; flag] lat; jk;] va'kqekyh 'kekZ] ts0 ih0 f=osnh dHkh cSBrs gS rks dgrs gS tks lcdk I;kjk gksrk gS] mls bZ'oj Hkh cgqr I;kj djrs gSA 'kk;n blhfy, mUgksus vfuy HkkbZ dks le; ls igys cqyk fy;kA gesa] cl bldk larks"k vkSj xoZ gS fd vuhrk jk.kk th us muds v/kwjs liuksa dks iwjk djus ds fy, iwjh ÅtkZ vkSj ladYi ds lkFk tufgr QkmaMs'ku dk if'pe vius gkFk esa ys fy;k gSA esjs tSls gtkjksa 'kqHksPNkvksa] leZFkdksa dh 'kqHkdkeuk;s muds lkFk gSA

eSa jk.kk th ls dHkh etkd essa dgrk Fkk fd tc eS tufgr ;kfpdk djuk NksM+ nw¡xk rks fQj vki dk Hkh lkFk NwV tk;sxkA eq>s D;k irk fd jk.kk th blds igys gh esjs ls gkFk NqM+k dj py nsxsA dHkh

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,dkar esa cSBrk gw¡ vkSj uhays vkdk'k esa fVefVekrs] yk[kksa rkjksa ds chp mTtoy /kzqo rkjs ij n`f"V iM+rh gS rks eu esa ,d vuqxwat lqukbZ iM+rh gS fd ml pedrs /kzqo rkjs esa ls vfuy th gesa ns[k jgs gSaA

ds- ds- jk;vf/koDrk] bykgkckn gkbZdksZV

We must add that in today’s world most people live their lives without even knowing what it is that they really want for themselves. Or even if they know what they want in their lives, they neither have the will nor the vision to create it. In a short span of time Mr. Rana, not only had a focused vision in life, but institutionalised the vision through Janhit Foundation. He achieved the highest goals in a short span focussing on the persistent pollutants issues and concerns which are creating irreversible damage to both the life and environment in our universe. Knowing him over a short span, I felt him to be not only an environmentally conscious but a socially responsible person in every way.

His untimely demise is a great loss to the community of environment. For, there are only a few, who in today’s world of materialism institutionalize the issues, particularly on environment. We wish great success to Janhit Foundation and Ms. Anita Rana to carry forward his dreams and aspirations and Janhit Foundation will inspire many to achieve his unfulfilled dreams.

On behalf of whole UNDP GEF SGP, CEE India team and Satish Kumar we wish you all the success in future to Janhit Foundation.

Prabhjot SodhiUNDP - CEE, New Delhi

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ijekRek dk fu;e gS] tks bl lalkj esa vk;k gS] mls tkuk Hkh iM+sxkA vfuy jk.kk th ds vdLekr~ gekjs chp ls pys tkus ij cgqr cM+k /kDdk yxkA esjh jk.kk th ls nks ckj eqykdkr gqbZ] ftuls esa cgqr izHkkfor gqvkA mudk d`f"k o ty ds {ks+= esa fo’ks"k ;ksxnku jgk gSA ,sls vkneh /kjrh ij dHkh&dHkh vkrs gSa] mudh vkt ds lekt dks cgqr gh t:jr gSA ijekRek ls izkFkZuk gS fd og tgk¡ Hkh gksa mudh vkRek dks 'kkfUr feysA

pkS/kjh egsUnz flag fVdSrv/;{k] Hkkjrh; fdlku ;wfu;u

fdlh Hkh {ks= dk fpard o fopkjd tu&tu esa ges’kk ;kn fd;k tkrk jgk gSA vfuy jk.kk ,d Ik;kZoj.k izseh ds lkFk&lkFk lkekftdfpard ,oa izsj.kk L=ksr FksA esjB ds fodkl esas mudh vge~ Hkwfedk FkhA muds }kjk ,sls vufxur dk;ks± dks vaatke fn;k Xk;k fd mldk izHkko orZeku ih<+h ij gh ugha vfirq vxyh ih<+h ij Hkh iM+sxkA esjB ikdZ esa i;kZoj.k laj{k.k ds fy, o"kZ 1999 esa fd;k x;k lR;kxzg ,d ehy dk iRFkj cukA mlds ckn muds vPNs dk;ksZa dks /;ku esa j[krs gq, Hkkjh la[;k esa yksx tqM+rs x, vkSj dkjoka c<+rk x;kA muds }kjk le;&le; ij vk;ksftr lsehukj vkSj xksf"B;ksa esa mRiUu izHkko’kkyh fopkjksa dks ges’kk ;kn fd;k tk,xkA mudh bPNk Fkh fd esjB ds i;kZoj.k iznw"k.k ds ckjs esa vke yksxksa dks tkx:d dj i;kZoj.k laj{k.k dk dk;Z djk;k tk,] fu%lansg bl vksj og dkQh lQy jgsA muds dk;Z dh 'kSyh dks ;fn Lej.k fd;k tk, rks mudk fparu vU; i;kZoj.k izsfe;ksa ls fHkUu feyrk gSA mudk er Fkk fd 'kgj dh turk dh mUufr vkSj fodkl ds fy, fd;k x;k dk;Z vnHkqr gS] ysfdu xk¡o ds fdlku] xjhc etnwjksa dh rdyhQksa dk tk;tk ysdj mudks nwj djuk mudk dŸkZO; gSA bl {ks= esa oehZdEiksLV RkFkk eèkqeD[kh ikyu mudk Js"B dk;Z tkuk tk;sxkA

vfuy th dks vUrjkZ"Vªh; [;krh izkIr gqbZ rFkk mUgsaa vUrjkZ"Vªh; iqjLdkj ls lq’kksfHkr Hkh fd;k x;kA ;g muds dfBu ifjJe dk gh

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izfrQy FkkA fuf’pr :Ik ls mudk dkjok¡ vkxs c<+rk jguk pkfg,] pkgs ml ekxZ esa fdruh Hkh ck/kk,a D;ksa u gksaA

izkjafHkd nkSj esa ,slk yxk dh tufgr QkmaMs’ku vukFk gks tk,xk] ysfdu lqdwu gS fd vuhrk th us tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds fy, iFk inZ’kd dk dk;Z fd;k gSA

,d o"kZ iwoZ vfuy th ds :Ik esaa i;kZoj.k izsfe;ksa ds fy, og Nk;knkj o`{k ges’kk ds fy, lw[k x;k gS] ysfdu gesa muds crk, gq, ekxZ ij pyuk gksxkA esjh vfuy th dks J)katfy vfiZr gksA

Mk- vkj- ih- HkkjrhvkbZ-,Q-,l- eq[; ou laj{kd] vkxjk

LoxhZ; vfuy jk.kk th tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds laLFkkid ds pj.kksa esa esjk dskfV&dksfV iz.kkeA vius eq¡g ls vkidh vkSj vkids dke dh rkfjQ djuk xkxj esa lkxj Hkjus tSlk gSA ftruk yxko ty vkSj tSfod [ksrh ds izfr eSaus vkids vUnj ns[kk ,slk dgha vkSj ugha feyrk gSA vkids egku~ O;fDrRo dh ftruh rkjhQ dh tk, mruh gh de gSA vki ,d 'kkUr] ljy o bZekunkj Nfo okys O;fDr FksA vkidh ok.kh esa oks vkstLo Fkk fd yksx vkidks cMs+ /;kuiwoZd lquk djrs FksA vkius ges’kk LokFkZ o ykyp ls nwj jgrs gq;s vius drZO;ks dks c[kwch fuHkk;k FkkA eSa vkids lkFk rHkh ls Fkk] tc vkius bl laLFkk dh lwjtdqaM fLFkr vkWfQl ls 'kq:vkr dh FkhA vkius tuin ds rkykcksa vkSj dqvksa dk losZ{k.k djk;k tks fd vius vki esa ,d vyx nsu gSA eSaus rkykcksa dk losZ{k.k fd;k Fkk vkSj ns[kk Hkh Fkk fd vkids losZ{k.k iwjh rjQ xzkmaM ij gq;s Fks u fd dkxtksa ijA

vkius gh fgMau unh ds vkUnksyu dh loZizFke 'kq:vkr dh FkhA vkids }kjk NsMs+ x;s vkUnksyu esa turk dk tks’k ns[krs gh curk FkkA vkius loZizFke if’pe ;w-ih- esa ty o tSfod [ksrh dh 'kq:vkr dhA vkius u tkus fdrus rkykc [kqnok;sA ,sfrgkfld xkU/kkjh rkykc tks fd e`rizk;% gks pqdk Fkk mldks iquZthfor djkus dk Js; vxj fdlh

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dks tkrk gS rks vki gh gSA vkius u tkus fdrus isij feyksa dk uksfVl fnyok;s tgk¡ vkt ds yksx LokFkZ ds fy;s ekSdk feyrs gh vki tSls vkneh dks cnuke djus dh dksf’k’k djrs gSa vki mu yksxks ls yk[kksa dksl nwj FksA vkius izR;sd dke esa igy dhA esjk lkSHkkX; Fkk fd eSa vki tSls egku vkneh ds lkFk jgkA vkids }kjk dgs x;s 'kCn ÞbZekunkjh o esgur ds lkFk dke djrs jgks] eafty vo’; feysxhß eq>s vkt Hkh ;kn gS vkSj vki lnk esjk ekxZ n’kZu djrs jgksxsA vki ge lHkh ds fnyksa esa lnk cls jgsaXksA

y{;nhi ;knoflikgh] DyZd bZ-,e-bZ Hkkjrh; lsuk

My association with Dr. Anil Rana was for more than 15 years and has seen him as an icon of sacrifice and dedication to the service of people. During my frequent interaction with him, I have always observed his strength of character, utmost integrity and his passions towards working for the upliftment of poor people. His film on Jai Bheem Nagar depicting the apathy of poor and marginal slum dwellers on issues of water sinks everyone’s heart. We together worked in various facets on water security and his achievements are readily visible when one goes through the milestones achieved by the JANHIT FOUNDATION for which he was the mentor. Dr. Rana was a person having a perfect blend of commitment and knowledge and the path he has led would not be forgotten by all of us. He always remains in my heart for ever as a beautiful person, a friend, philosopher and guide. His tender moments filled my head and tears quietly filled my eyes whenever I remember him.

I sincerely look towards the achieving the pinnacle of JANHIT FOUNDATION for which he has totally

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devoted his life and was his visionary dream, that needs to be kept alive for the years to come. May your soul rest in peace wherever you are and we all miss you dear forever.

Dr. D. ChakraborthyCentral Ground Water Board, New Delhi

It was very initial stage when I met a man with a great vision but a bit confused state of mind, which is natural for starting any new venture. After several discussions, I was highly convinced that success is waiting for this man. We used to discuss several social as well as environmental issues at C-Block Shastri Nagar office and Mr. Anil also used to visit me whenever he would find himself in stress. One cannot figure out the amount of stress he was facing and after discussing over a cup of tea he usually departed very light hearted. Just two days before his departure from this world he called me but we could not meet because I was out of station. I was severely shocked to learn, the departure of Anil from this world through a telephone call of my family friend. I was repenting for not meeting with Mr. Anil two days ago. He was a very broad minded person and he nurtured very serious desire to help all the NGOs across the country, engaged in the service of Mankind. He referred to so many NGOs at Delhi, Gorakhpur & Shimla depending on my taste. He used to refer people of similar vision and it helps me a lot in interacting and counselling of various NGOs for their proposal formulation. I have visited approximately all the projects being run by Janhit Foundation except organic farming. I was highly satisfied by the professional approach being adopted by the Janhit Foundation and I used to motivate other NGOs to follow

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suit. I confer my best wishes for Janhit Foundation to work and achieve the standards set by Mr. Anil for Janhit Foundation.

Prof. S. N. MishraC.C.S. University, Meerut

Dr. Anil Rana was a passionate fighter for protection of environment. I used to meet him often for getting insight into issues in Uttar Pradesh. While he was aware of the critical situation in environment sector, he always thought about solutions to it rather than just flagging off the problems. He would always take that extra mile to understand a problem and than involving all concerned to work out on a solution. His remarkable style was to never punish a culprit but to force him to change for better. He always used to tell me: “Let’s reform the environment criminal so that we manage to get a clean environment in a sustainable fashion.” Personally I cherish his ideas and passion for environment.

Richard MahapatraWater Aid, New Delhi

vfuy jk.kk ls esjk ifjp; cgqr iqjkuk ugha FkkA yxHkx 5&6 o"kZ igys gh muls igyh ckj eqykdkr gqbZ FkhA gkykafd ge nksuksa ,d nwljs ds uke vkSj dke ls t:j igys ls okfdQ FksA eSaus mudk ft+Ø m-iz- lwpuk foHkkx ds vf/kdkjh vius fe= rstohj flag jk.kk ls Hkh dbZ ckj lquk Fkk ij eqykdkr gqbZ nSfud tkxj.k ds izcU/kd vf[ky HkVukxj ds ekè;e lsA fu’p; gh HkVukxj vkSj jk.kk th dk ifjp; dkQh iqjkuk FkkA vf[ky vDlj mudh iz’kalk djrs Fks fd dSls vfuy

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jk.kk esjB tSls {ks= esa i;kZoj.k tSls vyksdfiz; vkSj XySej jfgr {ks= ds fy, lefiZr gSaA

vfuy jk.kk ls ,d ckj eqykdkr gqbZ rks fQj ge nksuksa csgn varjax gks x,A ;g eS=h LokHkkfod Hkh Fkh D;ksafd i;kZoj.k laj{k.k esa esjh Hkh 'kq: ls gh vfHk:fp jgh gS vkSj vfuy jk.kk rks blds fy, lefiZr gh FksA eghus esa vkSlru ,d ckj t:j jk.kk th eq>ls feyus esjs ?kj vkrs FksA eSa Hkh tufgr Qkm.Ms’ku ds dk;kZy; esa rks dbZ ckj x;k vkSj muds dk;ZØeksa esa le; fudkydj vDlj tkus dk iz;kl djrkA ysfdu muds ?kj vkSj ifjokj ds ckjs esa dHkh ifjp; dh fLFkfr ugha vk ikbZA ge i;kZoj.k ls tqM+s fo"k;ksa vkSj if’peh mÙkj izns’k dh i;kZoj.k lEcU/kh leL;kvksa ij gh bruk fopkj&foe’kZ djrs Fks fd futh foe’kZ xkS.k gks tkrkA eq>s ;g vQlksl thou Hkj jgsxk fd eSaus vfuy jk.kk dk ?kj igyh ckj rc ns[kk tc os vle; bl nqfu;k dks vyfonk dg pqds FksA ,d ckj muds firk dks fny dk nkSjk iM+k Fkk rks mUgsa ns[kus ds mís’; ls ?kj ls fudyk Hkh Fkk ysfdu jkLrs ls vfuy jk.kk dks eksckbZy ij Qksu fd;k vkSj mís’; crk;k rks irk pyk fd os ?kj ls ckgj FksA fygktk ml fnu Hkh muds ?kj ugha tk ik;kA

vfuy jk.kk dks eSaus tquwu dh gn rd vius mís’; ds izfr lefiZr ik;kA mUgksaus jSu okVj gkjosfLVax] tSfod [ksrh] izkÑfrd ty lzksrksa ds losZ{k.k&laj{k.k vkSj iznw"k.k ls eqfDr fnykus ds vius fe’ku ds lkFk dHkh le>kSrk ugha fd;kA os mPp f’kf{kr Fks vkSj pkgrs rks T;knk lq[k&lqfo/kkvksa okyk dksbZ vkd"kZd dfjvj viuk ldrs FksA ysfdu mUgksaus ,dne xaHkhj lkekftd vkSj jk"Vªh; ljksdkj ls [kqn dks tksM+ fy;k FkkA è;s; ds izfr fu"Bk] dfBu ifjJe] n`<+ vkRefo’okl vkSj lg;ksx ysus o nsus dh cstksM+ Hkkouk ds cy ij vfuy jk.kk us tufgr Qkm.Ms’ku dh fo’oluh;rk vkSj igpku dks jk"Vªh; gh ugha cfYd vUrjkZ"Vªh; iVy rd igq¡pk;kA mudh fonkbZ dks ,d o"kZ gks jgk gSA ij mudh deh csgn v[kjrh gSA vycÙkk dqN larks"k bl rF; ls

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t:j gksrk gS fd vfuy jk.kk ds fe’ku dks mudh ifRu Jherh vfurk jk.kk us vkxs tkjh j[kus dk bjknk fn[kk;k gSA os vius fe’ku esa lQy gksa] ;gh dkeuk dh tk ldrh gS vkSj vfuy jk.kk ds izfr fouez ÑrKrk o J)katfy Hkh muds fe’ku dh lQyrk esa gh fufgr gSA

vfuy calyC;wjks phQ&nSfud tulÙkk] ubZ fnYyh

Bhd ,d lky igys rd bl /kjrh ij ,d flrkjk txexk jgk FkkA /kjrh ekrk ds fy, fpfUrr oks flrkjk /kjrh ek¡ dh xksn esa gh pyk x;kA vkt ,d lky ckn ml flrkjs dks J)katfy vfiZr djrs gq, flQZ bruk gh dguk gS fd tc ls thou tUek gS] e`R;q Hkh mlh d¢ lkFk tUeh gSA n¨u¨a esa 'kk'or lEcU/k gSA bu lacU/k¨a esa dHkh d¨Ã O;o/kku ugha iM+k] u thou us dHkh viuh gkj ekuh v©j u gh e`R;q us vius gkFk [kM+s fd;s gSaA ;¨a r¨ t¨ py jgk gS ogh thfor gS] ij foijhr ifjfLFkfr;¨a esa] la?k"k¨± esa Hkh t¨ py jgk gS lgh vFk¨± esa ogh thfor gSA 'kjhj dh e`R;q d¢ ckn Hkh ftudk pfj=] fopkj v©j deZ vuqdj.kh; cuk jgs] psruk tkx`r djrk jgs os gtkj¨ o"k¨± rd thfor jgrs gSa] ;kn fd;s tkrs gSaA tufgr Qkm.Ms'ku dh LFkkiuk ls ysdj ,d tkx:d dk;ZdrkZ d¢ :i esa dk;Z djrs gq, Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk nwlj¨a d¢ fy, gh ft, v©j nwlj¨a d¢ fy, gh thou leÆir dj Xk;s A tgk¡ mUg¨aus ikuh ds ToyUr Á'u¨a] tSo fofo/krk] tSfod [ksrh] LokLF; v©j dqi¨"k.k tSls egRoiw.kZ Á'u¨a ij tupsruk tkXkzr djus dk iqjt¨j Á;kl fd;k ogha bud¢ lek/kku Hkh [k¨tus esa rRijrk v©j tkx:drk dk ifjp; fn;kA dkyh unh g¨ ;k fg.Mu] n©jkyk g¨ ;k t;Hkheuxj lHkh Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk d¨ ;kn j[ksaxsA Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk us if'peh mÙkj Áns'k esa tSfod [ksrh dk iquZtkxj.k vfHk;ku pykdj ;g fl) dj fn;k fd vkt d¢ bl cktk: ekg©y esa Hkh ;fn mn~ns'; v©j fopkj lgh gSa r¨ HkVd¢ gq, y¨x¨a d¨ fQj ls jkLrs ij ykuk laHko gSA blh vfHk;ku d¢ fy, Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk d¨ vUrjkZ"Vªh; Lrj ij Hkh igpkuk x;k v©j bld¢ fy, mUgsa fiNys lky twu esa gh ÁFke&ßou oYMZ iqjLdkjß teZu ljdkj dh v¨j ls fn;k x;k 1⁄4Kkr jgs fd ;g

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Áfrf"Br iqjLdkj vkà Q¨e&ßb.Vjus'kuy QSMjs'ku vkWQ v¨xZsfud ,XkzhdYpj eqoesUVß }kjk fn;k tkrk gS1⁄2A

,d lky igys 18 tqykà 2008 d¨ Jh vfuy jk.kk 1⁄4funs'kd tufgr Qkm.Ms'ku1⁄2 dh nsg dk vpkud volku g¨ tkus ls lHkh fpafrr Fks] nq%[kh Fks v©j l¨p jgs Fks fd D;k fd;k tk,\ vkt lHkh feydj ladYi ysa fd Jh vfuy jk.kk }kjk pyk;s x;s lHkh tkx:drk vfHk;kuksa d¨ #dus ugha nsuk gS v©j tufgr Qkm.Ms'ku d¢ lkfFk;¨a d¢ lkFk da/ks ls da/kk feykdj vkxs c<+us esa lg;¨x djuk gSA

lqc¨/k uUnu “kekZv/;{k&tylaln vyhx<+@gjhfrek ,oa lEiknd&gekjh /kjrh] vyhx<+

In my duty as chair of the jury for the One World Award I had the pleasure to meet Anil Rana and visit his work embedded in the Janhit Foundation. He was chosen as one of the five finalists for the prestigious One World Award.

I vividly remember his participation at the IFOAM Organic World Congress in summer 2008 in Modena/Italy and the One World Award jury as well as Joseph Wilhelm and his Rapunzel company were glad to welcome him during the OWA ceremony as finalist and give him the recognition award and cash support for his foundation’s work.

It came as a shock when we learnt only few weeks later about the sudden death. Anil Rana still had so many ideas and plans to continue his work in sense of the One World Award objectives to make this world on the basis of sustainability a better one. We are sure that the team of the Janhit Foundation will “carry the torch” and keep up its good and necessary work.

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For the One World Award Jury and the Rapunzel company.

Bernward GeierJury Coordinator – OWA

I discovered Dr. Anil Rana during April 2005 when a newsitem was published in Amar Ujala regarding his PIL about some encroachment in Meerut. I traced him with the help of Amar Ujala office. Since then my association with him turned like a dream come true. Needless to mention about his dynamism but over all he was an extremely gentle and compassionate human being. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand of all sorts to the budding NGOs and activists like me. In fact just few hours before his untimely demise we had talked with him over phone to start a rain water harvesting programme in Bareilly and he had agreed to come here in August 2008. But, we were not fortunate enough to see this happen.

We at Jagar offer our most sincere tributes to this matchless friend and saviour of nature.

Dr. Pradeep KumarJagar Jan Kalyan Samiti, Bareilly

Anil Rana was a true visionary who worked selflessly for the people. He gave up a secure job as a college teacher for the uncertain life of an activist. Returning to Meerut he set up the Janhit Foundation which identified the environmental and social problems devastating farmers and ordinary people both in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. His work on water-pollution of rivers, contamination of groundwater

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and its effects on health – is truly outstanding. Anilji pioneered organic farming in a region steeped in soil and water degradation. He was a believer in community action. His far reaching initiatives were having a deep impact – people became aware, governments were listening, courts were taking action – when he unfortunately passed away.

Rita AnandEditor, Civil Society Magazine

Many years ago Dr. Anil Rana came to our office to get some literature printed for Janhit Foundation and endeared himself to me instantly. I had been working with many NGOs over the years but his dedication and sincerity were apparent in the very first meeting. He told me that he believed in long time relationship and he kept his word till the end. There are many who champion the cause of cleaning the environment but are found wanting when it comes to dealing cleanly in their own professional interactions. Anil was different. He continued to offer us advance for the work we did for Janhit, without our asking and even after we told him that we do not expect it. He would clear the payments most promptly without a single reminder, unlike many others. With his gentle and persuasive manner, he got the best out of us because we believed in the cause that he was working so passionately for, and matching his enthusiasm we enjoyed giving him our best. I found it significant that he would choose from the alternative designs democratically as liked by his staff collectively. I often conveyed my appreciation for the highly involved, motivated and hardworking team that he had cultivated so quickly. I often suspected that not only all

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his female staff but also the male staff was in love with him. I assure the Janhit team of our continued cooperation and assistance in all their ventures.

Vinay AdityaSystems Vision, New Delhi

Dr. Anil Rana was indeed a very enthusiastic, energetic, public spirited person who took up, as part of Janhit Foundation, many of the very important public cause issues with zeal and commitment. His untimely death on July 18, 2008 was a big shock to me and must have left a vacuum in the organisation. Let us salute the work he has done. However, it would be the best tribute to him if the Foundation team continues to take up such issues with the same consistency, persistence, energy and commitment.

Himanshu ThakkarDams, Rivers and People, New Delhi

Anil ji was truly a gem. I met him during September – October in 2003. At that time, I was working as Senior Researcher for World Water Institute at Pune. I was covering water related issues at rural and urban front in Northern India for the Status Report on India’s Water Resources. In the very first meeting I find a wonderful human being in him, who is highly cooperative and helpful. Infact, he travelled with me to Daurala & nearby villages and various localities of Meerut town to cover water related issues in these areas. I found a wealth of information and surprising facts from these visits. All this became possible only due to able support of Anil ji and his team.

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Later on as well, he always kept me in touch and provided me two reports on water issues covered by his organization. He will always be with me in my memories and I will always try to cooperate with his baby, i.e., Janhit Foundation.

Nitin KaushalWater Resources Management Expert, Gwalior

“Achey logo ki bhagwan ko bhi jaroorat hot hai (even God need good persons)” and probably this is what happened with my schoolmate Anil Rana.

Anil’s departure is not only a loss to his family but to the nation. In a just a span of short time marked his presence in India as well contributed for the upliftment of society by raking conscientious socail issues and solving the problems related to society. His most potent contribution for the society was to bring awareness regarding ‘water’ through his NGO-Janhit Foundation.

The prestigious international organisations like Ford Foundation and others acknowledged his contributions towards the society and even honoured Anil at an international level, the honour conferred on few Asians.

A person with astounding qualities, grit and determination shall always be remembered and I pray to Almighty that may his soul rest in peace.

Sanjay GuptaFreelance Journalist, Meerut

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My association with ‘Sir’ Anil Rana was only for a year and a half, I say ‘only’ because I regret not having known him earlier and longer. He was a visionary who had the capability to inspire people to make a change. The odds he faced, the tough roads he walked, the immense sacrifices he made in daily life were humbling to anyone who wished to call himself a social-worker. What set him apart was his tremendous zeal, passion and honesty towards his down to earth, practical as well as emotional ideologies. A futurist of myriad moods was an endearing blend of indulgence and perfectionism. At the risk of sounding clichéd I can’t resist adding his loss is not only to his family, me or the nation but to the generations to come too.

Preeti Elhence Meerut

One day I got a call and from other side there was a soft spoken voice tells me that he is Dr. Anil Rana. He wanted to meet me regarding NGO’s activities and I told him that I am available in the college every day. After few days he comes to my college and I found him very calm and quite personality. The issues were discussed and we decided to help each other in social welfare activities. Janhit Foundation which rose to great heights in very short span of life was probably due to his achievement attitude, motivation towards goals etc. He was ambitious, determined and persistent all the time in his activities. Throughout our interaction I found him that he could control emotional temperaments that have probably ruled his life. Although his life was very short but his energy level was always very high. During our later meeting

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his logical and observant attitude talked his intellectual level. Not only that he had motivational skills and took the gathering along with him. He listened to every one but had the capacity to take decision individually and that too very wisely. I could see signs of maturity with time and experience. His social vision was very philosophical as he was most of the time discussed about the welfare of the poor farmers and villagers. At the same time he wanted to give new guidelines to the administration with public opinion to improve the life style of the people. He was always under pressure because he was fighting for justice for helpless people. He could go against big public sector units to get the things done for them. He even risked his life due to his adventures. He was task performer as he solved many problems in Meerut. His controlled attitude influenced many people cutting across the line and disciplines, regions, countries etc. What I found great in him was that he used to trust his people and became dependable at times on them. It was his fairness. Inspite of his achievements I never found him proud but I always saw him humble. During his seminars and workshops I could see his leadership qualities which are very rare in people. I found him very particular about his principals, rule and regulations and that is why he provided strong team spirit. I would remember him for my rest of life, he was true friend. I feel his loss like other who loved him.

Dr. Kaushal Kumar Sharma &Dr. Suresh Kumar Badooni

K. M. College, University of Delhi

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dqN yksx gksrs gS ftUgsa vki thou ds lq[kn eksM+ ds :Ik esa ;kn j[krs gaSA vfuy th dk feyuk vkSj muds lkFk dqN lkFkZd dke djuk esjs thou dk lq[kn eksM+ gh Fkk ftls fu;fr us dqN T;knk gh tYnh lkdkj dj fn;kA

vfuy th ds lkFk ftruk le; nsgyh vkSj esjB esa dke fd;k] ,d ckr tks ml O;fDr esa ikbZ oks Fkh dk;Z ds izfr deZBrk vkSj iSls dh bZekunkjh tks 'kk;n mudh vkSj laLFkk dh ,d cM+h /kjksgj FkhA gj ckr dks le>uk vkSj dke dks ilan vkus ij yksxksa dks mldh rkjhQ+ djuk vkSj vius tkfuc ftruk yksxksa dks feyokdj ,d dM+h tks mUgksus nsgyh esa cuok nh gS oks 'kk;n muds fopkjksa vkSj dke ds izfr bZekunkjh dk Qy gh gS fd tufgr QkmaMs’ku vkt ftl eqdke ij gS ogk¡ igq¡pus ds fy, yksxksa dks dbZ o"kZ yx tkrs gSaA

tufgr dk ekxZn’kZd vkt ugha gS ysfdu mudh ;knsa vkSj fn[kk;k jkLrk mudh lEifÙk gS ftls lesVuk vkSj lgstuk muds gj lkFkh dk QtZ gSA

jkds'k [k=h uspj QkmaMs’ku bf.M;k] ubZ fnYyh

Mr. Anil Rana Ji was man of rare character. I met him only recently in 2007 but within a short span I could make out he is a man with mission. The very fact that he choose such an important issue like water for his work, which touches each & every one’s life shows how sensitive he was to the society & the world. He also worked for other very vital issues like organic farming and for children in distress etc.

Though doing such a great work he was so very simple & approachable man. His presence had a very calming effect

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on you. I am very sure where ever he is he must be in peace & joy because so many people loved him and pray for him.

Dr. Rahul BansalSubharti Dental College, Meerut

I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to express my thoughts on my dear friend, Anil Rana. As his colleague at Arya College, I have seen Anil both as an English professor and as friend. As an English professor, I must say that his knowledge of the English subject was exorbitant and faultless. Anil portrayed mastery in classroom control. Despite his strict rules within the classroom, he was a favorite of all the students. Not only was Anil a great professor, he was also a marvelous friend. He was the kind of friend that stands by you when you need somebody to be there. Anil could be found at my house four out the seven days in a week. Still to this day, I remember the good times that we shared together. I am so thankful to have been given the chance to have known a man named Anil Rana.

Prof. N.S. NirbhayPanipat

eq>s ;kn gS tc eSaus if=dk dh nqfu;k esa dne j[kk FkkA 'kq:vkr bZ-Vh-oh- U;wt+ ls dh Fkh vkSj esjh igyh iksfLVaXk esjB esa fjiksafVZx ds :Ik esa gqbZA esjk eu 'kq: ls gh lekt ds fy, dqN djus dks djrk FkkA MsoyIesaV esa dqN djus dh pkg [kklrkSj ij jgk djrh FkhA rHkh esjs ,d i=dkj fe=] tks fganqLrku esa laoknnkrk ds :Ik esa dk;Zjr Fks] mUgksaus eq>s tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds ckjs essa crk;k vkSj Jh vfuy jk.kk th dk Qksu uacj fn;kA esjh muls oks igyh ckj dh ckr ftlesa mUgksaus ljyrkiwoZd vius O;Lr le; esa ls esjs fy, dqN nsj dk le;

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fudkykA eSa muls feyk vkSj mudh lknxh] mudk O;ogkj ok.kh esa feBkl vkSj lekt ds fy, dqN vyx djus dh pkgr mudh vkW[kksa esa lkQ fn[k jgh FkhA eSa muls vDlj feyus yxkA dke dh ckr ds lkFk&lkFk mudk vlj esjs ok.kh O;ogkj ij Hkh iM+us yxkA oks vius dke dh ckr ls dHkh le>kSrk ugha djrs FksA dke ds lkFk&lkFk nwljksa ds fy, Hkh ldjkRed lksp mudh fo’ks"krk FkhA vDlj gks jgh ckrksa esa ,d fnu irk pyk fd mUgsa laln esa ikuh dh mHkjrh leL;kvksa ij cksyus ds fy, cqyk;k x;kA eSus ml ij U;wt Hkh cukbZ] ysfdu ogh ckr lkgc us eq>s [kqn vius eq¡g ls dHkh ugha dghA lkr eghus eSa esjB esa jgk vkSj brus de le; esa eSa dc bruk muds ut+nhd vk x;k eq>s [kqn Hkh irk ughaA rHkh esjk rcknyk QStkckn gks x;k vkSj eSaus tc muls dgk fd eSa tk jgk gw¡ lj mUgksaus dgk vfHk"ksd rqEgkjk tkuk [kysxk] ysfdu rqEgkjk çeks’ku gqvk gS vkSj eSa cgqr [kq’k gw¡A ge yksx laidZ esa jgsaxs vkSj eS rqEgsa le;&le; ij xkbM djrk jgw¡xkA mudk ekxZn’kZu eq>s QStkckn esa Hkh feyrk jgkA rHkh ,d fnu tc [kcj feyha fd Jh vfuy jk.kk th us nqfu;k dks vyfonk dg fn;k gS rks eSa Hkkoqd gks mBk vkSj eq>s fo’okl ugha gqvkA tc eS esjB tkrk gw¡ rks eSa bruk lkgl ugha cVksj ikrk gw¡ fd eS muds vkWfQl tkÅ¡A 'kk;n eSa cgqr detksj gw¡ ;k fQj muds ml vafre :Ik esa vkus dk eyky esjs tgu esa ges’kk jgrk gSA

vfHk"ksd frokjhlaoknnkrk] bZ-Vh-oh-] y[kuÅ

He was a very kind hearted, soft, honest, hard working, selfless and talented person. In little time he became part of my heart due to his visionary thoughts and plans to serve the nation.

He was a gift to the world. The fact that Mr. Anil Rana is not among us but from person to person he will be loved, cherished and adored foreever. He will be remembered

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for his work done for the society. Before I end my speech I want to thank God for letting Mr. Anil Rana being my hero in my life time. May God give him rest in peace and paradise.

Niraj MaheshwariMerck Limited, New Delhi

Rarely does one come across an individual who is as polite, compassionate and committed as Mr. Anil Rana. Nurturing and spearheading Janhit Foundation right from its infancy, Mr. Rana provided the most conducive environment in office where individuals could grow independently but at the same time tutoring each about how collective efforts can create wonderful impacts in society. Under his strong leadership Janhit Foundation forged ahead in doing excellent work with farmers and society. I remember him with genuine respect and fondness.

Papiya SarkarTechnical Specialist & Consultant, Pune

A pioneer in introducing vermi-compost, organic farming, water conservation and safe drinking water practices in western Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Anil Rana was a visionary par excellence. He was a crusader in true sense of the world, he made it his mission to ensure that everybody in the Meerut region is committed to ensuring pollution free agriculture and safe drinking water. With unflinching determination and dedication, he was to a great extent able to achieve his avowed objective in a very short time. Mr. Anil Rana set up the Janhit Foundation and led a

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highly motivated team of his workers. This Foundation established the second Rain Centre of the country, which has succeeded in creating awareness among the people of Meerut about the benefits of water harvesting. Mr. Rana successfully mobilised nearly 1000 farmers in rural areas of Meerut and surrounding districts and exhorted them to go organic - an idea that appeared to be a difficult proposition initially. But he was not only able to motivate them to get rid of the poisonous fertilisers but also helped them carve a niche for their produce in the market. That is why he became a household name in the field of rural development in the Meerut region, more so because he had an uncanny eye to focus on issues that were ailing the society. But God needed him more than we mortals did. Today, one year after his untimely and sad demise, we not only mourn but acutely miss this crusader who always worked for the betterment of his fellow beings. I wish his wife, Smt. Anita Rana, who now leads the Janhit team, every success in fulfilling all his dreams and completing the projects that were left unfinished due to his sudden demise.

Teevra SharmaPHD Rural Development Foundation, New Delhi

There was something in him that had dragged me to Meerut, after he had located me one fine afternoon in Delhi some five years ago. Dr. Anil Rana held a mystic appearance, a kind of veil that made it tough to see beyond. Yet, he would make me feel important for reasons best known to him. In each of his conferences that I was asked to speak he’d give me the briefest of the briefing, leaving me free to treat the subject as I’d deem fit. Curiously, he

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would not come back with his reactions or comments on my presentations. But I could sense a sustained flow of controlled energy from him on the subject of his interest. In some ways I’d think he was a man in a hurry, aiming to pace systemic transformation.

I cherish my short but quality association with Dr. Anil Rana, it had intensity and mutual trust.

Dr Sudhirendar SharmaDirector, Ecological Foundation, New Delhi

On a brief visit to India, I met Dr. Rana and felt an extraordinary person. A family man, he put his career and source of livelihood second to pursue his passion to what became the Janhit Foundation with employees working weekends inspired by his passion. Modest, Dr. Rana was “call me Anil”. Just as inspiring was that his studies were in the writings of the American philosopher/writer Thoreau and yet that did not stop him from creating an institution committed to water quality. Gandhiji said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Dr Rana was it – extraordinary.

Remco Van SantenMy Clean India, Australia

,d euhf"k dk dFku gS fd ÞdkSu fdrus o"kZ ft;k] ls vf/kd egRoiw.kZ ;g gS fd fdlds fy;s ft;kßA vxj bl dlkSVh ij HkkbZ vfuy jk.kk ds thou dks dlk tk; rks fu"d"kZ vkrk gS fd vius lkekftd thou ds ,d n’kd esa dhfrZeku LFkkfir djus dh uhao mUgksaus j[khA ftl le; nwjHkk"k ij muds nqfu;k NksM+dj tkus dh lwpuk feyh lglk vius dkuksa ij fo’okl ugha gqvkA fiNys ,d n’kd

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ds n`"; fp= dh HkkWafr eu efLr"d ij Nk x;sA ,slk yxk tSls dy ijlksa gh muls fnYyh 28 yks/kh ,LVsV Jh lkseiky th ds vkokl ij HksaV gqbZ FkhA ,slh vkReh;rk] Lusg fueU=.k ,oa viuRo Hkko fd nwljh HksaV esa gh ge fe= cu x;sA fQj rks ijLij muds dk;ks± ds lg;ksfx;ksa esa ls Hkh ikfjokfjd lEcU/k cu x;sA ,d fnu okrkZyki ds gh chp mUgksaus eq>s vius vkSj esjs fj’rsnkjksa ds lEcU/kksa ls Hkh voxr djk;kA fudV lEcU/kksa esa Hkh ;fn oSpkfjd lkE;rk u gks rks ijLij lg;ksx ugha fuHk ikrkA eSaus dbZ ckj O;fDrxr leL;kvksaa ij Hkh muls ijke’kZ fd;k] lnSo vuqHkoh dh rjg lykg nsus dks og rRij jgrs FksA

EkSa Lo0 HkkbZ Jh vfuy jk.kk th ds O;fDrRo dh lcls cM+h ckr mudk n`<+ ladYih gksuk ekurk FkkA geus tufgr QkmaMs’ku çkjEHk djus ds muds fu.kZ; dks lansg ds ?ksjs esa j[krs] yksxksa ds ckjs esa tkukA ,slh 'kadk, Hkh Fkh bl {ks= esa fdlh Loa;lsoh laLFkk dk dk;Z djuk vlEHko dk;Z gSA fdUrq vfuy th us ftl ladYi dks ysdj la?k"kZ fd;k og ç’kaluh; gSA viuh xEHkhjrk] fo}rk rFkk v/kZeqLdku ls og de 'kCnksa dh vfHkO;fDr ls gh çHkkfor dj nsrs FksA vfuy jk.kk th ds vkdfLed fu/ku ls if’peh mÙkj çns’k dh tks {kfr gqbZ gS mldh iwfrZ ds fy;s ;fn ge lc mlh ladYi ds lkFk dk;ks± ls tksMs+ rks ;g mUgsa lPph J)katfy gksxhA tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds ek/;e ls çnw"k.k eqDr djus ds muds vfHk;ku dks xfr nsdj gh gEk Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk ds muds vfHk;ku dks xfr nsdj gh ge Lo0 vfuy jk.kk ds Loiuksa dks lkdkj djus esa lg;ksx ns ldrs gSaA

eSa tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds lHkh fe=ksa] 'kqHkfpardksa dks Jh vfuy jk.kk dh Le`fr thoUr j[kus ds fy, lk/kqokn nsrk gw¡A Jhefr jk.kk ds usr`Ro esa dq’ky lg;ksfx;ksa dk ,d ,slk ny rS;kj gks tks jk.kk th ds v/kwjs dk;ksZ dks iw.kZ dj ldsA Jh jk.kk th us tks cht cks;k Fkk og vHkh vadqj ds :Ik esa çLQqfVr gh gqvk gS mls vkPNkfnr djus okys o`{k ds :Ik esa [kM+k djus essa lHkh 'kqHkfpard iwoZor~ lg;ksx djrs jgsaxs] ,slh eq>s vk’kk gSA HkkbZ vfuy jk.kk ds fy;s rks cl ,d gh iafDr bl volj ij çkalfxd yxrh gS &

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ÞcM+s xkSj ls lqu jgk Fkk tekuk]Rkqe gh lks x;s nk¡Lrk dgrs&dgrsAß

cyjkeflag lksyadhjkT;iky ds iwoZ futh lfpo] ubZ fnYyh

Mk0 vfuy jk.kk dk uke vkrs gh ,d deZB o drZO;fu"B O;fDr dh Nfo esjs ekul iVy ij vk tkrh gSA ekuo çse dh Hkkouk muds vUnj dwV&dwV dj Hkjh FkhA mUgksaus tufgr gsrq tufgr QkmaMs’ku dh LFkkiuk 1998 esa dh xbZ FkhA

Ikkuh thou dh egrh vko’;drk gS] bldks eglwl dj çnwf"kr ty ls gksus okys nq"çHkko ls tuekul dks cpkus ds fy, dk;Z fd;sA bl vksj ljdkjh rU= dk /;ku vkÑ"V djus ds mn~ns’; ls vusd ifj;kstukvksa ij dk;Z fd;k ftlesa os lQy Hkh gq,A ftlds fy, os lnSo ;kn fd, tk,xsaA

esjk vfuy jk.kk th ls cgqr iqjkuk lEidZ jgkA Þtufgr QkmaMs’kuß dh LFkkiuk ds ckn vDlj muds lkFk dk;Z djus dk volj feykA ftruk muds lEidZ esa vkrk jgk muds /khj xaHkhj O;fDrRo dk ifjp; feykA muds LoHkko esa viuRo dh Hkkouk bl rjg lekbZ gqbZ Fkh tks Hkwys ugh HkqykbZ tk ldrhA NksVk gks ;k cM++k ;Fkk;ksX; çse o lEeku nsrs FksA vkt os gekjs chp ugha gS ij muds lkFk fcrk;k le; mudks Le`fr nsrk jgrk gSA

esjk fo’okl gS ßtufgr QkmaMs’kuÞ ifjokj muds }kjk çkjEHk fd, x;s dk;ks± dks vkxs c<++krs gq, muds liuksa dks lkdkj djsxkA

fo'oeksgu ukSfV;kyQksVksxzkQj] ,l0 oh0 ch0 ih0 ;wfuoflZVh] esjB

Mr. Anil Rana, founder of Janhit Foundation, nurtured the organization from a tiny seed to a shelter giving tree. A visionary with endless energy he worked on issues vary

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vital to life. His keen interest in water conservation and water harvesting lead him to work tirelessly and bring awareness of these issues to general public. He saw the relevance of these issues not only for the present generation but for generations to come. Western UP owes Mr. Rana for bringing to light the sad state of ground water contamination, soil degradation and its impact on human and animal health as well as agriculture.

Not only did he work on these earthy issues his keen perception of the problems of poor and needy children drew him to child helpline. I got to know him because of his work with child helpline. As a psychologist I saw his true commitment and the sheer grit to work towards upliftment of these children. He worked with slum children as well as juvenile delinquents. His compassion and understanding of the problems surrounding these children was remarkable. One did not have to look close enough to see his commitment. His honesty and dedication was visible to one and all. He had great organizational capability as well as he had the ability to carry people along with him.

His early demise is a loss which can not be filled. I hope and pray to God to give strength to Ms. Rana to carry on the unfinished work left by Anil Ji.

Dr. Mridula SharmaMeerut College, Meerut

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ikuh i;kZoj.k vkSj izd`fr }kjk iznÙk izkd`frd lalk/kuksa ds laj{k.k dh fn'kk esa vxz.kh iz;kl djus okys vknj.kh; vfuy jk.kk th ge lcds izsj.kk Lkzksr jgsA jk.kk th ge lcdh ;knksa esa jps cls jgsA mUgkasus vius lkekftd {ks= ds vYi dky esa vxz.kh iz;kl djds ns'k fons'k esa vius dke ls [;kfr vftZr dhA budh dk;Z djus dh i)fr e`nqHkk"kh LoHkko] O;fDrRo esa xEHkhjrk vkSj uokpkj ge lc ds fy, izsj.kk lzksr gSaA mudh iq.; frfFk ds volj ij ge muds v/kwjs lius dks iw.kZ djus dk ladYi ysrs gSaA muds }kjk crk, x, jkLrs] ikuh ds foosdiw.kZ mi;ksx vkSj Ik;kZoj.kh; lUrqyu dh fn'kk esa ge lc feydj iz;kl djsxsaA

lat; flagijekFkZ lekt lsoh laLFkku] mjbZ 1⁄4tkykSu1⁄2

Down the memory lane in the Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus, my association with Dr. Anil Rana gives me a lively view of his personality, thought and energy to work for a better future. Year back, I was completely shocked at the sudden demise of Rana ji who had a great commitment to serve the society for a better tomorrow with the help of Janhit Foundation – the organization of the people, by the people and for the people. I know that his passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him. Ranaji will always be in our hearts and memories, and his untiring efforts to establish a better social engineering will be materialize with much vigour and vitality with the eternal support of our ever loving friend. On this occasion of remembrance, I extent hearty support to all the associates of Janhit Foundation to hold tight to memories of comfort, lean on your friends

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for strength, and always remember how much you are cared about. I further express my heartfelt sympathies for the loss of our friend Dr. Rana with the word that, he had spread his wings and flown to something unknown, but he will always remain in our hearts forever.

Dr. Keshab Chandra JenaCabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi

ns[krs gh ns[krs ,d lky chr x;kA vkt Hkh vfuy th ds vkxs Lo0 fy[kus ij th Mjrk gS fd eSa dgha xyrh rks ugha dj jgk gwWA ysfdu lR; dks Lohdkj djuk gh gSA

vkt pkjksa vksj vuhfr] vR;kpkj] lHkh izdkj ls fofuikr dh vksj lkjk fo'o tk jgk gSA vkt lgh esa fo'Ok dks cpkus ds fy, vfuy th tSls lksp okys] /khj xaHkhj deZ;ksxh ukStoku ;ks)k dh vko';drk gSSA tc mudh lcls T;knk t:jr gS rc gh bZ'oj us mudks gels Nhu fy;kA gekjh igpku bruh yach ugh Fkh] ysfdu LoHkko] dk;Z vkSj vU; laLdkjksa ds dkj.k gekjh fe=rk bruh xgjh gks xbZ Fkh fd tSls cgqr iqjkuh nksLrh gksA

eq>s Bhd ;kn gS fd tc vfuy th eq>s ßty laj{k.kÞ] tks gekjh fe=rk dk dkj.k Hkh jgk ds lsehukj esa fueaf=r djus vk;s FksA xqqtjkr esa fd;s x;s Þty laj{k.kÞ ds dk;Z ls os dkQh çHkkfor Fks] vkSj ,slk gh dk;Z ;gk¡ 'kq: djus dh ea'kk FkhA esjB esa Hkh ,slh fLFkfr vk xbZ gS fd ,slk lsehukj djuk iM+sA xaxk vkSj ;equk ds fudV gfjr izns'k dh Hkh ;g voLFkk fLFkfr fdruh xaHkhj gksrh pyh vk jgh gS bl dk ;g izR;{k mnkgj.k ugha gS D;k\

igyh eqykdkr ds ckn le;&le; ij Þty laj{k.kÞ iznw"k.k Ik;kZoj.k lacf/kr fo"k;ksa ds lsehukj esa ppkZ ds le; feyuk gksrk FkkA vfuy th us iwjs gfjr izns'k esa py vdsyk fd Hkk¡fr dk;Z dks c<+kdj yksxksa dk fny thr fy;kA

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vfuy th ds nsgkolku dh [kcj eq>s cgqr nsjh ls feyhA cgqr nq%[k gqvk vkSj ckn esa muds ?kj tkdj J)katfy Hkh nhA vkt larks"k bl ckr dk gS fd vfuy th dh /keZifRu [kqn vfuy th ds LoIu dks iwjk djus ds dk;Z esa tqV xbZ gSA eq>s iwjk fo'okl gS fd bZ'oj mudks ;g dk;Z djus dh 'kfDr iznku djsA

vkt vfuy th dh izFke iq.;frfFk ij ge lc Ik;kZoj.k dks cpkus ds fy, viuk iwjk ;ksxnku nsa] ;gh mudks lPph vkSj lgh J)katfy gSA

oYyHk HkkbZ dFkhfj;kiwoZ dsUnzh; ea=h] ubZ fnYyh

ijefirk ijekRek dk fu;e gS fd og çd`fr l`tu ds fy, v'kZ ds flrkjksa dks Q'kZ ij Hkst dj tufgr djkrk gS] mUgha flrkjksa esa Jh vfuy jk.kk th Fks tks vdLekr~ gh gekjs chp ls pys x;sA Jh jk.kk th us tufgr es tks dk;Z fd;s og ljkguh; gh ugha cfYd oUnh; gSA og tgk¡ Hkh gks losZ’oj mudh vkRek dks 'kkfUr feys rFkk esjh ijekRek ls çkFkZuk gS fd Jh jk.kk th }kjk LFkkfir laLFkk tufgr QkmaMs’ku dks çxfr dh vksj vxzlj j[ksaA

ukud pUn d';ilektlsoh] esjB

Þty gh thou gSß] Þty fcu lc lwuß] ty cpkvks&thou cpkvksa dh vy[k txkus okyk fpjkx vle; cq> x;kA ,d O;fDr tks lnSo çkd`frd ty L=ksrksa dks cpkus] ty iznw"k.k jksdus] Þty cpkvks o çd`fr cpkvksß tSls vkUnksyu pyk jgk Fkk] ;dk;d og ØkfUrdkjh nqfu;k dks vyfonk dg x;kA og 'kkUr o ljy O;fDr FksA

,d o"kZ chrus dks gS] gj [kV~Vs&ehBs vuqHkoksa ds lkFk pqukSfr;ksa dk lkeuk djrs gq, Þtufgr QkmaMs’kuß us vfuy jk.kk th ds dk;ks± dks

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cgqr lQyrk ls vkxs c<+k;k gSA bl volj ij ge lHkh dh vksj ls iw.kZ vk’oklu nsrs gSa fd tufgr esa pyk, tk jgs Þtufgr QkmaMs’kuß ds çR;sd vfHk;ku esa ltx Hkkxhnkjh fuHkk,xsaA vfuy jk.kk th us [kqyh vk¡[kksa ls tks lius i;kZoj.k laj{k.k ds ns[ks Fks] lekt ds mRFkku dks ç;kljr~ Fks] ge lHkh ijLij lg;ksx o lqfuf’pr lk>snkjh ds lkFk mUgsa lkdkj djus dk ç;kl djsaxsA

vUr esa eS Þtufgr QkmaMs’kuß dh leLr Vhe dks] funsf’kdk vfurk jk.kk th dks mudh fgEer] fo’okl] yxu] gkSlyksa o lrr~ dk;Zjr~ jgus ds fy, làn; cèkkbZ nsrh gw¡] o bZ’oj ls dkeuk djrh gww¡ fd tks dkjokaa jk.kk th us tksM+k Fkk] ;w¡ gh muds cuk, l’kDr ekXkZ ij pyrk jgsA

Mk0 eUtq xqIrkesjB dkWfyt] esjB

Dr. Anil Rana is another name of dynamism, initiative and vision. It was for his immense passion and untiring efforts that Janhit foundation’s work has won accolades not only within the country but also across boundaries. His pioneering initiatives in the field of environment conservation and organic farming are well known to every one. When CIF representatives first visited Meerut for initiating the CHILDLINE project, they requestedDr. Rana to take up the programme. Despite the fact that Janhit was not directly working with children, Dr. Rana went all the way to responded to CIF’s request and took up the challenge of ensuring child protection in the district. Under his leadership Meerut CHILDLINE took strong steps to protect rights of children under the Juvenile Justice Act. Apart from case based intervention, he took forward the struggle for justice to the Judiciary. Dr. Rana’s clarity

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of thought as an academician along with focused efforts of a social worker was his recipe for success. Wishing all the best to all members of Janhit Foundations who have given a new life to his thoughts and dreams.

Komal GanotraCHILDLINE India Foundation, New Delhi

Mr. Anil Rana ji was a true down to earth man. He has done commendable work for the society of this region. I have known him since years and I really cannot express the loss due to his death. I admire the work he did in his short span of life and I will always remember by heart.

Veer SinghArmy School, Meerut

He came- He saw - He conqueredHe had a spark, a passion to be unconventionalHis guiding us as his students to learn more from the outside the classFrom silence of SelfAnd from noise of mindHas given us a visionAnd a philosophy to live lifeHis magnetism influenced us allFriends and critics alikeWe are thankful to him

And pray god to release his services to the world as such souls are required more here than there.

Mukesh TutejaPresident, Improvement Trust, Panipat

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Person’s who go from the world before they are old are generally those who are quite required here. Perhaps they are also required by the lord to be with him, so they depart early. Late. Prof. ANIL RANA, was a lecturer of english at ARYA COLLEGE, Panipat, who taught us english in pre-engineering course. In addition to be our teacher, he was also friend. After his classes, every day he spend most of his time with the students, being one of them always at ease with all of them. He was the only person instrumental in developing our extra ordinary interest in quiz programmes, class get-together and other co-curricular activities. I pay homage to great soul and thankfully acknowledge his role in shaping my life.

Dr. Anupam AroraS.D. College, Panipat

He was a thorough gentleman. A man with a vision and earned name and fame worldwide. His thoughtful projects gave Meerut city and Janhit Foundation A-1 representation in the international scenario. He practised positive thinking, positive listening and positive action. Positive energies used to flow in & around him, his office, his office staff and his colleagues. The word impossible was not found in his dictionary. He always appreciated his wife, Ms. Anita Rana for her support to his highly taxing nature of work. He was always kind and polite to everyone. In true sense he worked only for the welfare of the society through Janhit Foundation.This is also evident from the fact that his wife and family struggled because of his sudden demise. May God give them the strength to overcome the stress. He was conferred with National and International awards.

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The Uttar Pradesh government had conferred him with the title ‘Water Man of UP’ on the occassion of “Ground Water Day” conference. His administrative capacity and managerial powers was an art to be learnt. He was kind and considerate to his colleagues. The work environment in his office used to be friendly, cordial and comfortable. I remember recalling his words, “Madam, you must register an NGO/Trust for a cause for upliftment of WOMEN. That’s the only way one can do the SELFLESS service to the society” He gave lot of guidelines, talked of ups and downs of an organization. He used to say that “Nothing succeeds than Success”. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to pen down that Ms. Anita Rana has all the characteristics of her late husband, Sh. Rana ji. I wish Ms. Anita Rana all the success in life.

Shefali SrivastavaSocialite & Educationist, Lucknow

It is a matter of great privilege and a moment of sorrow for me to pen down my thoughts about a man who is no more with us and whom I loved the most. Though, Sir, had left for heavenly abode exactly a year ago, his ideas and exemplary visionary thoughts still lurk in my mind. A teacher par excellence, he always stood by the side of his students be it curricular or extra-curricular activities. A man of immence talent, he was not only an esteemed teacher but a friend, philosopher and guide too for all of us. His zeal and passion for doing something big for the society and down trodden led him to leave his teaching job and launched an NGO called JANHIT FOUNDATION. His untimely demise was a big blow for his visionary ideas to materialise.

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But now it is our turn to do something to complete his unfinished job. We all must pledge to work together to give moral and material support to the bereaved family. Lastly, I pray to Almighty so that his departed soul rest in peace in heaven. This is a small token of love and respect from a student to his beloved teacher.

Harish AroraPanipat

Jh vfuy jk.kk rFkk eSa cpiu ds lkFkh jgs gSSaA eq>s muds lkFk i<+us] [ksyus ,oa lkekftd {ks= esa dk;Z djus dk lkSHkkX; izkIr gqvk gSA og ,d vUrZeq[kh] laosnu’khy] fpUru’khy ,oa cgqeq[kh çfrHkk ds /kuh O;fDr FksA lkekftd rFkk ljdkjksa ls tqM+s fo"k;ksa ij os ges’kk fpUru djrs gq, leL;k dh tM+ rd igq¡pus dks ç;kljr~ jgrs FksA

vius fu%LokFkZ Hkko ls rFkk cgqr gh lhfer lk/kuksa ls i;kZoj.k] fpfdRlk ,oa ty laj{k.k ds {ks= esa tks dk;Z fd;s os vrqyuh; gSaA

vkt Jh vfuy jk.kk th gekjs chp ugha gSaA ;g eu ekuus ds fy, rS;kj ughs gSA mudh vlkekf;d e`R;q ls lekt dks tks {kfr gqbZ gS mldh iwfrZ vlEHko gSA

fouksn R;kxh R;kxh gS.Mywe] esjB

MkŒ vfuy jk.kk th ds fy, esjk ,d NksVk lk fopkj gSA MkŒ lkgc dk LoxZokl gq;s ,d o"kZ gks x;k gSA MkŒ lkgc us ty o tSfod [ksrh vkfn fo"k;ksa ij fo’o Lrjh; dk;Z cgqr gh vPNs <ax ls o cgqr gh de le; esa iwjk fd;s FksA MkŒ lkgc iwjs LVkWQ ds lkFk feydj ftruh esgur yxu o vuq’kklu ls dk;Z djrs FksA eSaus vius thou esa ,slk mnkgj.k ugh ns[kk FkkA ;fn vkt os gksrs rks tufgr QkmaMs’ku

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vkt i;kZoj.k ij dk;Z djus okyk Hkkjr dk loZçFke laLFkku gksrk] MkŒ lkgc dh çsj.kk ls eSaus Hkh eqt¶Qjuxj ftys ds ,d xk¡o esa tSfod [ksrh ij dkQh vPNk dk;Z çnf’kZr fd;k gSA ftldh uhao MkŒ lkgc us o"kZ 2006 esa j[kh Fkh tks vkt muds ,d NksVs ls lius dks iwjk djrh gqbZ çrhr gks jgh gSA ;fn MkŒ lkgc vkt gksrs rks os ;g ns[kdj cgqr çlUu gksrsA

iznhi dqekjeqt¶Qjuxj

lHkh ikBdks dks esjk vknj.kh;~ ueLdkj! ikBdks vkt ge ,d ,slh nh;s dh tyrh gqbZ ykS ds ckjs esa ckr djus tk jgs gSSA ftUgksaus u dsoy vius tufgr QkmaMs’ku dks gh jks’kuh ls Hkjk gSA cfYd gj ,d O;fDr tks muls ifjfpr FkkA muds eu esa Hkh ,d vyx jks’kuh txkbZ gSA vfuy jk.kk th tgk¡ Hkh tkrs FksA viuh ,d ubZ Nki NksM+ vkrs FksA vfuy jk.kk th ds ckjs esa ftruk dgk tk;s 'kk;n FkksM+k gSA lj vkt Hkys gh gekjs chp ugha gSA ysfdu fQj Hkh vkt ge yksxksa ds chp esa ,d viuh txg cuk;s gq, gSSA eSa lquhrk tks QkWjVsd dEI;wVj flLVe esa dke djrh g¡w lj ls dkQh ifjfpr FkhA eSa bu 'kCnksa esa mudk O;k[;ku rks T;knk ugha dj ik jgh gw¡A ysfdu gk¡ cl lHkh ikBdksa dks ;s crkuk pkgw¡xh dh ge lksprs Fks fd vkt ds ;qx esa ,sls euq"; 'kk;n ugha gSA tks viuh de vkSj nwljksa dh HkykbZ T;knk djrs gS ysfdu ,slk ugha gSA mudh gj ,d oks ckr tks ges’kk nwljksa dh HkykbZ ds fy, djrs Fks oks ges’kk gekjs lkFk jgsxhA cl vc gekjk bruk dŸkZO; gS fd ge vfuy th ds bl lius dks lkdkj djas vkSj bl tufgr QkmaMs’ku dks vkSj vkxs c<+k;sA

lquhrk 'kekZQWkjVsd dEI;wVj flLVe] esjB

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Þ,d NksVk lk fpjkx nwj rd viuh jks’kuh ls]jkgxhjksa dks vius gksus dk irk nsrk gS]Bhd oSls gh ,d dŸkZO;fu"B O;fDRo nwj rd vius lsok dk;ks± ls] oafpr lekt dks lq[k] vk’kk o fn’kk nsrk gSß

mijksDr iafDr;k¡ Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th ij fcYdqy [kjh mrjrh gSA ;g muds izHkko’kkyh O;fDrRo dk izHkko Fkk tks muls feyus ds ckn esjs eu esa i;kZoj.k ds fy, dqN djus dh meax tkxhA mUgksus eq>s ty lap; rkykc] unh] dqavksa ds cpko o j[kj[kko tSfod [ksrh dk gekjs fy;s mi;ksx o ykHk i;kZoj.k dk gekjs thou ij izHkko] ckfj’k ds ikuh dk lap; vkfn ds fo"k; ij xgu tkudkjh nh] vkSj eq>s lkekftd ftEesnkfj;ksa ds izfr tkx:d fd;kA

muds tSlk nwljk O;fDr feyuk laHko ugha gS] ysfdu eq>s bl ckr dh [kq’kh gS fd muds ckn Þtufgr QkmaMs’kuÞ dh ftEesnkjh mudh ifRu Jherh vfurk jk.kk th us cgqr lkgliw.kZ <ax ls ,d pqukSrh ds :Ik Lohdkj dh ,oa og cgqr gh lqanj <ax ls laLFkk dks lapkfyr dj jgh gSaA

eSa Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th dks ges’kk ;kn djrk jgw¡xk vkSj muds fy, flQZ ;g gh dgw¡xk---------

ÞdqN [kwclwjr lkFk NwVk ugha djrsAoDr dh 'kk[k ls yEgsa VwVk ugha djrsAAdqN yksx ,sls vkrs gSa ftUnxh esa

ftuls ukrs dHkh Hkh VwVk ugha djrsAAjkts'k flagy

oSjkbVh LVksj] esjB

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jk.kk th ds ckjs esa ftruk Hkh dgk tk;s de gS] os cgqr gh lw>cw> o Å¡ps fopkjksa okys O;fDr FksA lnSo muds LoHkko esa uezrk jgh gSA mUgksus cf<;k ukSdjh NksMdj fdlkuksa ds fy, dk;Z fd;kA fons’k ls iSlk ykdj fdlkuksa ij yxk;k ;g ekewyh ckr ugh gSA mUgksus ,slk dk;Z vius LokFkZ ds fy, ugh cfYd fdlkuksa dh HkykbZ ds fy, fd;kA tufgr QkmaMs’ku dks pykus esa fnu&jkr ,d dj fn;kA

Jh jkepUnz thdyhuk] esjB

vfuy jk.kk th us ty laj{k.k o tSfod [ksrh ds fy, ljkguh; dk;Z fd;kA if’peh mÙkj izns’k dh ufn;ksa fgaMu] Ñ".kk o dkyh unh dks iznw"k.k eqDr djus ds fy, mUgksus mYys[kuh; dk;Z fd;sA tSfod [ksrh ds fy, fn;s tkus okys iqjLdkj ou oYMZ vokMZ izkIr dj mUgksus esjB dk uke fo’o Lrj ij xkSjokfUor fd;kA eq>s vk’kk gS fd tufgr QkmaMs’ku muds }kjk fd;s x;s dk;ksZ dks fQj ls u;s vk;ke nsxhA

izoh.k feJk,l-Mh-,e-] lnj] esjB

dqN egku yksx nqfu;k esa felky cudj vkrs gSa tks ;qxiq:"k dgykrs gSaA ,sls gh O;fDr Fks Jh vfuy jk.kk ftudks Hkqyk ikuk ukeqedhu gSA

gtkjksa lky ujfxl viuh csuwjh ij jksrh jghA cM+h eqf'dy ls gksrk gS peu esa nhnkoj iSnkAA

eq'rkd vgen lSQhesjB

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Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th dks izFke iq.; frfFk ij gkfnZd mn~xkjA Ekgkurk D;k gS] ;g dksbZ ukius ;ksX; xq.k ugha gksrk vfirq tc ge blds lEidZxr gksrs gS] rks ge bls >V ls igpku ysrs gSA mPpre rFkk lqân;] tks lansg jfgr gksdj rFkk fo?u ck/kkvksa dh ijokg u djrs gq, Hkh vius y{; dh vksj vkxs c<+rs gSa] vius vUnj egkurk dk xq.k j[krs gSaA

izR;sd euq"; dh dqN laosnu'khy vkLFkk,a vkSj ekU;rk,¡ gksrh gSa] ftu ij og O;fDr iwjh rjg fu"Bkoku jgdj leLr fparu ewY; vkLFkk,¡ o ekU;rk,sa lekt o jk"Vª ds O;kid fgrksa ds en~nsut+j esa l?ku tk¡p vlafnX/k fo'oluh;rk vkSj Hkksxs gq, d"Vdkjh vuqHkoksa ij vk/kkfjr gksrh gSaA rc blh izdkj dh i`"BHkwfe dk O;fDr viuh yxu'khyrk vlafnX/k bZekunkjh ,oa deZBrk dh fo'okl dk dsaUæ fcUnq cu tkrk gSA

vius y{;ks ds izfr yxu'khyrk] vFkd iz;kl o le; dh ikcUnh dh fo'ks"krk us Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk dks lekt dk dsUæ fcUnq cuk fn;k FkkA

Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th ls fiNys 20 o"kks± ls esjk utnhdh fj'rk FkkA Lo0 jk.kk th Li"Voknh] fdlkuksa o xjhcksa ls xgjh lkguqHkwfr j[kus okys vkSj U;k;izseh FksA os vius y{;ksa ds izfr ges'kk ltx ,oa –.k ladfYir jgrs FksA

o"kZ 1998 esa tufgr ls tufgr ds fy, fd;s x;s dk;ks± ls ns'k gh ugh vfirq fons'kksa esa Hkh mUgksaus tks [;kfr vftZr dh] gekjs lekt ,oa jk"Vª dks vlhe xkSjo dk vuqHko iznku djrh jgsxhA

val[; jk"Vªh; ,oa vUrjkZ"Vªh; iqjLdkjksa ls iqjLd`r Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th us] tufgr dh fofHkUu Toayr leL;k,sa ftuesa nkSjkyk fodkl [k.M dk ty iznw"k.k o t;Hkheuxj dh is;ty leL;k funku dj fuf'pr :Ik ls ,d iz'kaluh; ,oa mYys[kuh; dk;Z jgkA

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Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk us ns'k dh jh<+ fdlku dk nnZ eglwl djrs gq, fdlkuksa dks tSfod [ksrh o fxjrs HkwxHkZ ty Lrj lq/kkj gsrq o"kkZ ty lap;u rFkk rkykcksa ds iquZthou gsrw dbZ iz'kaluh; dk;ks± ds lkFk lkFk 'kklu Lrj ij ty uhfr cuokus gsrw vHkwriwoZ dk;Z dj tuekul ds fy, tks vfoLej.kh; lsok dh gS mlds fy, gekjk lekt mudk lnSo _.kh jgsxkA

fdlkukaas }kjk vU/kk/kqa/k dhVuk'kdksa ,oa moZjdksa ds ?kkrd nq"ifj.kkeksaa ls fdlkuksa dks lpsr dj fdlkuksa dks tSfod [ksrh djus o mudh Qlyksa dks vR;f/kd ewY; fnykus gsrw vUjkZ"Vªh; ekin.Mksa ij vkèkkfjr ,d u;h foi.ku O;oLFkk dk izfriknu fuf'pr :Ik ls ,d vdYiuh; dk;Z gSaA

Xkjhcksa] vlgk;ksa cPpksa dh f'k{kk] fpfdRlk ,oa lqj{kk dks KkukJe o 'kgj ds izfrfu"B fpfdRldksa dk ny xBu o pkbZYMykbu Js.kh iznku djrs gSaSA

vUr esa Lo0 jk.kk th ds lEcU/k esa] eSa vkxs D;k fy[kw¡ lp ekfu;s esjs ikl dksbZ 'kCn gh ugha tks eSa mudh Js"Brk ds ckjs esa iwjh rkSj ij fy[k ldw¡ cl eq>s Mk0 vfuy jk.kk th ds egku O;fDrRo ds fy, mi;qDr gS------

gtkjksa lky ufxZl viuh csuwjh is jksrh gS]cM+h eqf'dy ls gksrk gS peu esa nhnkoj iSnkAA

lqjsUæ pkS/kjhesjB

e`nqHkk"kh] izHkko'kkyh O;fDrRo ds /kuh Jh vfuy jk.kk th ls esjk ifjp; esjB esa vk;ksftr ,d dk;Z'kkyk ds nkSjku gqqqqqvk FkkA bu dk;Z 'kkykvksa vkSj xksf"B;ksa }kjk os lekt dh Toayr leL;kvksa ij yksxksa dks tkxzr djrs FksA ikuh dh deh] tehu ds ikuh dk vR;f/kd nksgu ds dkj.k ty&Lrj dk ?kVuk] jkl;fud [kknksa vkSj dhVuk'kdksa ds iz;ksx

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ls gksus okyh gkfu] ufn;ksa o rkykcksa dk ty iznw"k.k mudh fpUrk ds eq[; fo"k; FksA mUgksaus yksxksa dks o"kkZ ty laxzg.k rFkk [ksrh dh iSnkokj c<+kus rFkk [ksrh esa tSfod [kkn viukus ij tksj fn;kA esjh bu fo"k;ksa esa :fp tkudj os vDlj viuh 'kkykvksa esa fueaf=r djrs FksA gekjs fo|ky; ØSMy ifCyd Ldwy ds okf"kZdksRlo ij nks ckj eSus mUgsa eq[; vfrfFk ds :i esa cqyk;k FkkA rkfd os vius izHkko'kkyh Hkk"k.k }kjk mifLFkr tu lewg dks ikuh dh leL;k rFkk mldk mik; o"kkZ ty laxzg.k ds ckjs crk ldsA os dksV}kj izfrekg fl)cyh ds n'kZu dks vkrs jgrs FksA lu~~ 2006&07 esa os jksVjh Dyc dksV}kj esa eq[; oDrk ds :Ik es mifLFkr FksA mUgksus vk'oklu fn;k Fkk fd os o"kkZ ty laxzg.k ij gekjh enn djsaxsA yxHkx ,d Ms<+ lky rd mudk eq>ls dksbZ laokn ugha gqvk ysfdu ,d fnu tc Qksu fd;k rks mudh lg;ksxh lksuk{kh th us crk;k fd mudk LoxZokl gks pqdk gSA lqu dj LrC/k jg xbZA vHkh mudh mez tkus dh rks ugha FkhA fpUrk gqbZ fd vc muds }kjk 'kq: fd;s x;s dk;ks± dk D;k gksxk\

14 twu 2009 dks viuh laosnuk O;Dr djus tc mudh /keZiRuh Jherh vfurk jk.kk ls feyus muds dk;ZLFky] tufgr QkmaMs'ku xbZ rks Jherh jk.kk dgha xbZ gqbZ FkhA lksuk{kh th ls eqykdkr gqbZ rks irk pyk fd muds }kjk NksMsa+ x;s dk;ks± dks Jherh vfurk jk.kk th c[kwch dj jgh gSA bZ'oj ls izkFkZuk gS fd og Lo0 vfuy jk.kk th ds ifjokj dks bl nq%[k dks lgus dh 'kfDr ns rFkk Jherh jk.kk th dks v/kwjs dk;ks± dks iwjk djus dk lkgl nsA jksVªh Dyc rFkk dksV}kj dh vksj ls Lo0 jk.kk th dks J)katfyA

jsuqdk xqLkkbZlaLFkkfidk@iz/kkukpk;kZ] ØSMy ifCyd Ldwy] dksV}kj

I had known him since the year 2007, when he came to Delhi School of Economics to make a presentation on the study conducted for Hindon River and its distress. I quote him saying “Things can change only when mindset

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changes”. I worked as an intern in Janhit Foundation. I owe him my first experience of working in an office environment, the great platform to work & learn from. He was a disciplined boss and a father figure to me at the same time. He encouraged me to build up my confidence level. He sometimes used to point out my faults which he had all the right to and then would very humbly ask “apko bura toh nahi laga”. My senses have earned a lot from his ideologies. His modesty is well expressed when I quote “mere office ka chowkidar bhi is office ka hissa hai”. He was a chai addict and all of us used to have tea the same number of times he used to have. When I say ‘all of us’ he could be quoted saying “Guard ko chai diya?”

His qualities cannot be discussed in a book, they could only be felt. He has been the ray of hope to thousands of lives and a ray of inspiration to me. ‘Will not ever forget you sir. God Bless your soul.

Tamosi BhattacharyaStudent, Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi

ge yksx Mh&82 'kkL=h uxj esjB ds fuoklh ,oae~ Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk th ds iM+kslh gSaA ge mudh /keZiRuh Jherh vfurk jk.kk th dk vkHkkj izdV djrs gSa fd mUgksaus gesa ml f}axr o ifo= vkRek ds ckjs esa dqN dgus dk volj iznku fd;kA

vfuy jk.kk th ,d cgqr gh usd fny lPps o n`<+ fu'p; okys balku FksA vius dk;Z dks iwjh bZekunkjh ls djrs Fks o mlds izfr iw.kZr% lefiZr FksA de cksyuk vkSj T;knk dk;Z djuk] bl iafDr esa fo'okl djrs FksA blfy, bruh vYi vk;q esa bruk cM+k dke dj x;s ftlls fd mudh vUrjkZ"Vªh; igpku cu xbZA mudh dk;Z{kerk dks bVyh dh ljdkj us igpkuk o mudks lEekfur fd;kA

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Hkxoku us vYivk;q esa gh mUgsa vius ikl cqyk fy;kA Hkxoku mudh vkRek dks 'kkfUr iznku djs RkFkk muds ifjokj dks bl viw.kZfu; {kfr dks lgu djus dh 'kfDr ,oe~ fgEer nsA

jfoUnz dqekj xqIrk o vpZuk xqIrkesjB

esjh lu~ 2004 esa ,d egku~ O;fDr ls eqykdkr gqbZ FkhA igyh eqykdkr esa tc esjh mudh ueLrs gqbZ rks eSaus mUgsa ,d lkekU;iq:"k gh le>kA ysfdu tSls gh muds dke ds ckjs esa eq>s irk pyk rks eSa muds O;fDrRo ls cgqr izHkkfor gqvkA eSa mUgsa ,d lar dk ntkZ nsuk pkgw¡xk] D;ksafd mUgkssus gekjs lekt dh ,slh leL;kvksa dks mBk;k rFkk gy djus dk ,d lQy iz;kl fd;kA esjh bu rhuksa leL;kvksaa ij muls dkQh ckrsa gksrh FkhA gesa Hkh mudh Hkkouk rFkk lekt dh leL;kvksa ij fopkj djuk pkfg, rFkk mu ij dke djuk pkfg,A mUgksaus tks viuh laLFkk dk uke j[kk oks Hkh mudh Hkkoukvksa dks ifjHkkf"kr djrk gSA tufgr QkmaMs'ku turk ds fgr ds fy, dke djus okyh laLFkk gS tks turk ds fy, izkd`frd] lkekftd f'k{kk esa ;ksxnku nsrh gSA esjs ikl vc bl egku~ O;fDrRo ds fy, vkSj 'kCn ugha gS D;ksafd muds uke esa Hkh mudk O;fDrRo Nydrk gSA mudk uke vfuy jk.kk FkkA vfuy dk eryc gekjs 'kkL=ksa esa var ty ls FkkA eSa ml egku~ O;fDrRo dks ckj&ckj ueu~ djuk pkgw¡xkA

vuqjks/k dqekj calyesjB

“Blessed is the leader who considers leadership an opportunity to serve”. I take this opportunity to salute this simple man with worthy ideas. A workshop conducted by Mr. Anil Rana ignited the flame to organise the first ever ‘Eco-fair’ in Meerut which was christened as ‘Samanvay’.

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He had been the re-invogorator for bringing awareness for ‘water management’. The ability to care to focus on the needs of the other, to develop empathy and compassion were the ideas he worked on. We the citizens of Meerut salute this humanist with our heart and soul.

Mrs. Sangeeta RekhiPrincipal, Shanti Niketan Vidyapeeth, Meerut

It was August 30th 2004, when my principal called me to ask if I wished to attend a talk on garbage management and water conservation. It was organized by the Janhit Foundation at Godwin Public school.

Being an environmentalist I readily accepted the opportunity to attend the talk. It was a wonderful experience as we were shown two power point presentations and a video film. One on water conservation and rain water harvesting, the second on the preparation of paint brushes with mongoose hair, and the collection, smuggling and sale of such hair. The third was the life and problems of rag-picker children. All of them were such an eye-opener that I immediately wanted to talk to the person who had started such wonderful work. This was my first meeting with Mr. Anil Rana, the enthusiasm of both of us, as I wanted to do something of the same kind for my birth place, he had already started the work. During the fifteen minute talk that day, I could find out that Mr. Anil Rana was living a few steps away from my house and he was also amazed to know that an environment- lover was living next door to him, and he had gone so far as to spread his message. That was the time that the sequence of talks and programmes

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started at CJDAV MRT. The same year with full support from Mr. Anil Rana, my principal Mr. Prem Mehta, my two friends Dr. Alpna Sharma and Mrs. Sangeeta Rekhi, we could organize a programme called “Samanway” where we could honour Mr. Rajender Singh the Water Man of India. The day followed by an Eco Fair, which had all eco-friendly products, recycled, reused and biodegradable things. In the passing four years, I was part of his every talk and programme. in February and March 2008 I got a scolding from him in the authority of an elder brother, that I should actively participate and not as a visitor or a guest. As I pledged inside my heart to join the good work. I got the greatest shock of my life on July 18th that Mr. Anil Rana was no more. I exclaimed ‘Oh God”! Why had such hard luck for Meerut and the whole of India that you snatched away such a genuine hard worker from us? His most memorable works and talks were: Rain Water Harvesting, Garbage Management, Composting, Organic Farming, The Lost Ponds of Western U.P and the Panni Panchayats as well as many more. God please give us strength so we join hands with Mrs. Rana and continue the good work!

Sadhna AroraCJDAV, Meerut

A farsighted, higly motivated, determined, aspiring, optimistic, ever giving personality who has inspired many of us to replicate what he did in a short span of 10 years during the existence of the Janhit Foundation.

He proved that it just takes a little noble, selfless efforts and a handful of people to create history.

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It was very tragic that at the brink of his fame at the global platform, his sudden demise brought a major and a deeply regretted pause in the achievement of his dreams. Though many more achievers would emerge with time the gap he has created would never be filled.

I just said his demise brought a pause in his dreams because though he has become physically non-existent but his dream lives even after him in the sapling that he had planted in the form of the Janhit Foundation 10 years ago. It continues to grow, following the principles and beliefs with which he watered it throughout its existence. The roots of this young tree are deeply grounded and keep nourishing the organisation to bear the fruits of his dreams in the coming future and serve the society and nature as it always has been doing.

I salute you Mr Rana.

What you have instilled in me as a person would always be with me wherever I go.

Mrs. Sonal RupelaEx-employee, Janhit Foundation

Jh vfuy jkuk th us gesa Lo;a lsoh laLFkkvks dh rkdr dk vglkl djk;kA mUgksaus gesa fl[kk;k fd fdl rjg Lo;a lsoh laLFkk,sa dk;Z djrh gSaA eSus muds lkFk jgdj lh[kk fd fdl rjg mUgksaus viuk lEiw.kZ thou laLFkk ds fy, vfiZr fd;k gqvk FkkA os laLFkk dks gn ls T;knk I;kj djrs FksA muds dk;Z djus dh 'kSyh ,slh Fkh fd laLFkk dk lkjk dk;Z mudh vk¡[kks ls xqtjrk FkkA mUgsa irk gksrk Fkk fd dkSu O;fDr D;k dk;Z dj jgk gSA os laLFkk ds gj NksVs&cM+s dk;Z ij Lo;a /;ku j[krs FkssA laLFkk esa muds lkFk dk;Z djus okys çR;sd O;fDr dk

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os iwjk&iwjk [;ky j[krs FksA muds vle; pys tkus ls geus ,d cgqr cM+k ekxZn’kZd [kks fn;k ftldh {kfriwfrZ ukeqefdu gSA

Ykfyr R;kxhiwoZ dk;ZdrkZ] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

It’s not hard but rather almost impossible to write here regarding Anil Sir. It was three years back when I first came to Janhit Foundation in search of a job. Sir was at first in doubt that I would be able to comprehend the work being carried out due to my young age. Days passed and now after three years I am still a member of the foundation’s team. Throughout my journey whatever has been installed in me has been due to the guidance and inspiration I received from sir. He was a man who was humble, caring, honest, helpful, I could continue like this for many pages. No one attribute was the best regarding sir for all his qualities contributed in making him who he was. As a colleague I can say that you will never find such a boss who is always there to appreciate your work, wanting to see you become successful, help you in times of difficulty or has such a strong sense of care and responsibility for you. Personally speaking, I would say you can’t find a person who you can trust so much, who understands us or treats us with such equality. I also cannot forget the day he died as it came to me not as a shock but as devasting blow and I still cannot quit come to terms with our loss. I had never envisaged the foundation without sir and his loss can never be compensated for. I will never forget all that he has done for me.

Sonakshi HuddaMember, Janhit Foundation

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vkt vfuy jk.kk lj dks x;s gq, ,d o"kZ iwjk gksus tk jgk gS ijUrq vkt Hkh jk.kk lj dks ge vius chp esa gh eglwl djrs gS] D;ksafd vkt Hkh ge muds }kjk fl[kk, gq, dk vuqlj.k djds gh dk;Z djrs gSA mUgksaus ges’kk tufgr dks vius ifjokj vkSj ge lcdks ifjokj dk lnL; ekukA eq>s vkt Hkh ;kn gS tc eq>s tufgr esa vk;s dqN gh fnu gq, Fks tc jk.kk lj us eq>ls dgk Fkk fd vxj eq>s dHkh Hkh fdlh izdkj dh dksbZ ijs’kkkuh gks rks eSa mUgsa vo’; crkÅ¡ os ges’kk lcdh enn djus ds fy, rS;kj jgrs FksA eSaus muesa dHkh Hkh HksnHkko dh Hkkouk dks eglwl rd ugha fd;kA os vuq'kklufiz; Fks rFkk viuk dk;Z lnSo le; ls iwoZ lEkkIr djus esa fo’okl j[krs FksA mUgsa ns[kdj ,slk yxrk Fkk ekuks mUgksaus viuk thou bl izÑfr ds fy, lefiZr dj fn;k gksA os xjhc cPpksa dks Hkjiwj f’k{kk nsuk pkgrs Fks ftldk thrk tkxrk lcwr KkukJe gS ftlesa cPps vkt Hkh fu%’kqYd f’k{kk izkIr djrs gSA mUgsa vHkh cgqr lk dk;Z djuk Fkk ij 'kk;n bZ’oj ds ikl vPNs yksxksa dh deh gks x;h Fkh blfy;s mudk tkuk t:jh gks x;k FkkA mUgksaus vius LoIu dks tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds :Ik esa lkdkj fd;k ftls vkt jk.kk lj dh ifRu Jherh vfurk jk.kk lapkfyr dj jgh gS rFkk jk.kk lj dh deh dks iwjk dj jgh gSa eq>s muesa lj dh Nfo fn[kkbZ nsrh gS blfy;s yxrk gS fd vkt Hkh jk.kk lj gekjs chp gaS vkSj ges’kk jgsaxsA

Lak/;k oekZlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs’ku

I came in touch with Dr. Rana when I joined Janhit Foundation as an internee in December 2006 for a period of six weeks. The short association would leave such an everlasting impact was never known to me initially. Every time I sat down with him to discuss something, I would always come out slightly more learned and that was Dr. Rana’s effect. I was not able to resist myself from meeting

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him on the very first day when I used to be in the town and he would make sure to take out quality 15 minutes for me out of his busy schedule.

His sudden demise came as a shock but he left behind a motivation for me to be determined to work in the social sector and serve the society. I always miss him and cherish the memories of our interactive sessions. He is an ideal for me and would be trying to follow certain lessons he left behind for all my life.

Nipun KaushikMember, Janhit Foundation

LoxhZ; Jh vfuy jk.kk th dks J)katfy nsrs gq, vkSj ueu djrs gq, ;g dkeuk djrk gw¡ fd oks ges’kk tufgr QkmUMs’ku ds :i esa vej jgsaA jk.kk th ds ckjs esa dgus ds fy, esjs ikl 'kCn ugha gSaA oks ,d ,slh 'kf[l;r Fks tks nwljksa dh Hkkoukvksa dh dnz djrs Fks rFkk tks eu esa Bku fy;k oks djds gh ne ysrs FksA lekt lsok D;k gksrh gS eSaus tufgr esa vkdj gh lh[kk vkSj eSaus bruk dqN jk.kk th ls lh[kk] eSa c;ku ugha dj ldrkA eq>s dHkh ;g eglwl ugha gqvk fd eSa ukSdjh dj jgk gw¡A eq>s yxk fd eSa ,d ifjokj ls fudydj nwljs ifjokj esa vk x;k gw¡A dk’k! ;fn oks gksrs rks bl lekt dk uD’kk gh cny tkrkA mudks dHkh Hkqyk;k ugha tk ldrkA mUgksaus lekt ds m)kj ds fy, tks lius ns[ks gSa mudks lp djus esa] eSa ges’kk tufgr ds lkFk gw¡A vUr esa] eSa ;gh dgw¡xk fd jk.kk th ns’k ds lPps liwr FksA ,sls liwrksa dh bl /kjrh ek¡ dks ges’kk t:jr jgsxhA

f'kodqekjlnL;] tufgr QkmUMs’ku

Jh vfuy jk.kk th ,d vyx lksp ds O;fDr Fks rHkh rks bUgksus vPNh [kklh f’k{kk çkIr djus ds Ik’pkr dqN o"kZ gh izksQslj in dh

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ljdkjh ukSdjh dj blls R;kx i= ns fn;k vkSj viuh /kqu esa lokj gksdj tufgr ds dk;Z ds fy, dk;Z djus dk n`<+ fu’p; fd;kA mUgksaus fdlh dh ijokg u djrs gq, viuh tUEk Hkwfe o ns’k dks vktknh fnykus okyh ØkfUr Hkwfe esjB dks viuh deZ Hkwfe cuk;kA mUgksaus bl dk;Z dks djus ds fy, tufgr QkmaMs’ku uke ls ,d xSj ljdkjh laLFkk dk xBu fd;kA bl dk;Z dks djrs le; mUgksaus vusd ijs’kkfu;ksa dk lkeuk fd;kA laLFkk pykus ds lkFk&lkFk vius nSfud [kpksZ ds pykus ds fy, lekpkj i= if=dkvksa esa ys[k Hkh fy[ks blls tks iSlk feyrk Fkk mlls viuk Hkj.k iks"k.k djds vkSj iSny py py dj bUgksus vius 'kq:vkrh le; dks fcrk;k blds Ik’pkr~ fQj /khjs&èkhjs bZ’oj dh d`ik ls vkidks jkLrk feyrk pyk x;kA tSls tufgr ds fy, bUgkasus nkSjkyk 'kqxj fey ds fojks/k dk lkeuk djrs gq, vius mnns’; esa lQyrk gkfly dj ns’k esa ,d vuwBk mnkgj.k is’k fd;kA ftlesa ns’k es fdlh m|ksxifr us viuh xyfr;ksa dks Lohdj dj blesa lq/kkjkRed dk;Z fd;sA Jh vfuy jk.kk th dks vius uke Ik;kZ; vFkkZr ty ls dkQh yxko Fkk blfy, gh rks bUgksus viuh izFke izkFkfedrk esa ty laj{k.k&loZ/ku dk dk;Z djus dk fu’p; fd;k blesa buds lkeus pkgs rkykc cuokrs le; egewniqj /kweh xk¡o esa dqN fljfQjs yksxksa us xksfy;ka pyk nh gkasA ogk¡ Hkh Jh jk.kk th viuh piyrk ls viuk dk;Z djus esa lQy jgsaA Jh vfuy jk.kk th ds lEiZd esa 2002 esa vk;kA buds dk;Z djus dh 'kSyh vyx gh fn[krh FkhA muds lEidZ esa tks ,d ckj vk x;k og muls izHkkfor gq, fcuk ugh jg ldkA mUgksaus vius x`g tuin dks tSfod tuin cukus dk tks dk;Z 'kq: fd;k Fkk og vkt lkdkj gksrk utj vk jgk gSa tgk¡ bl tuin esa dksbZ Hkh fdlku tSfod [ksrh ugh djrk FkkA vkt gtkjkas fdlku tSfod [ksrh djus yxs gSA Jh jk.kk th jkr&fnu vius fnekx esa ,d gh ckr j[krs Fks fd dSls og bl {ks= esa yksxksa dh HkykbZ ds fy, T;knk ls T;knk dk;Z djsaA bl volj ij ge LoxhZ; Jh vfuy jk.kk th dks bl <sj lkjs tu leqnk; dh vksj ls J)katfy nsras gSA

nsoikyflaglnL;] tufgr QkmUMs’ku

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vfuy jk.kk lj lekt lsok txr ds iqjksa/kk o ty ;ks)k FksA mUgksaus unh] rkykc o ty laj{k.k ij og dke dj fn[kk;k] tks mÙkjh Hkkjr esa dksbZ ugha dj ik;kA jk.kk lj dh bPNk Fkh fd tufgr QkmaMs’ku ds ek/;e ls ,d ,slk varjkZ"Vªh; izf'k{k.k dsUnz cuk;k tk;s] ftlesa fons'kh yksx Hkh vkdj izf'k{k.k ys lds] mudh lksp ,d vuwBk dsUnz cukus dh Fkh ftlesa lektlsok ds dqN u;s vk;ke LFkkfir gks ldsA muds vd~Lekr fu/ku ls tufgr QkmaMs’ku usr`Roghu gks x;k Fkk] ysfdu vfurk jk.kk th ds dq’ky fn’kk&funsZ’ku esa gesa fQj ls mEehn dh fdj.k fn[kk;h ns jgh gS] ftlls laLFkk fQj ls ,d u;k dhfrZeku LFkkfir dj ldsxhA esjh vksj ls lPph J)katfy ;gh gS fd ge muds crk;s gq, infpUgksa ij pysa] ftlls mudh fnoaxr vkRek dks 'kkfUr fey ldsA

latho dqekjlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

fdlh us lp gh dgk gS fd vPNs bUlkuksa dh t:jr gj fdl dks gksrh gS pkgs og balku gks ;k fQj HkxokuA vfuy jk.kk th gekjs fy, lekt lsod gh ugha cfYd ,d cgqr vPNs balku Hkh FksA mulss geus cgqr dqN lh[kkA nwljksa ds nnZ dks viuk cukuk nwljksa ds fy, ges’kk vPNk cksyukA lekt dh ijs’kkuh o nnZ dks viuk cukuk os ges’kk dgrs FksA eqf’dyksa dks thuk gh thou dk uke gS lekt dh eqf’dyksa ls yM+rs tkvks vUr esa rqEgsa ,d u;h fdj.k utj vk;sxh vkSj ;s fdj.k bl lekt dks ,d ubZ fn’kk nsxhA mudh ckrksa esa lR;rk Fkh os dgrs Fks fd balku dks ges’kk vius izfr bZekunkj jguk pkfg,A dHkh lR; dk lkFk ugha NksMuk pkfg,A eqf’dyksa ls nwj ugha Hkkxuk pkfg,A eqf’dyksa esa ,d nwljs dk lkFk fuHkkuk pkfg, eqf’dysa rks vk;sxh gh ysfdu og rqEgkjs gksalys ns[kdj rqels nwj pyh tk;sxhA vkt muds uk gksus ij Hkh vius vkl&ikl gksus dk ,glkl gksrk gSA vfuy jk.kk th us bl lekt esa ,d u;h igpku cuk;h gSA ge lc dks mudh bl igpku dks cuk;s j[kuk gS gesa Hkh muds vkn’kksZ ij pyuk pkfg,A rkfd lekt esa tufgr QkmaMs’ku dks yksx ges’kk vfuy jk.kk th ds

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uke ls tkusaA vfuy jk.kk th vkSj tufgr QkmaMs’ku dk uke bl lekt esa ges’kk cuk jgsA

vk'kk jkuhlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

EkSa vius nks 'kCn iwT;uh; vfuy jk.kk th dks lefiZr djrk gwWA vfuy jk.kk th us tks dk;Z fd;k mlls flQZ 'kgjoklh gh ugha cfYd ns’koklh Hkh xoZ dh Hkkouk eglwl djrs gSa] vkSj dgrs gS fd eSa Hkh tufgr QkmaMs’ku ls tqM+k gwW vkSj Hkfo"; esa blls tqM+k jgw¡xk D;ksafd ;s oks laLFkk gS ftl us u flQZ yksxksa dks Hkfo"; esa vkus okyh dfBukbZ dks crk;k gS cfYd Li"V n’kkZ;k gS fd Hkfo"; esa ikuh fd fdruh deh vk;sxh vfuy jk.kk th us dgk Fkk fd vxj vc ds fo’o ;q) gqvk rks ikuh ds fy, gksxkA vfuy jk.kk th ,d dfBu ifjJeh O;fDr FksA oks ges’kk ls gh dfBukbZ dk lkeuk djus dh {kerk j[krs Fks rHkh oks Hkkjr dh rjQ ls flQZ vdssys ^ou oYMZ vokMZ* ikus okys Hkkjrh; cusA vfuy jk.kk th le; ds lcls cM+s ikyugkjh vkSj lR; ij pyus okys bUlku FksA eSa lHkh ls ;gh izkFkZuk djrk gwW fd lHkh muds tSlk cuus dh dksf’k’k djukA

eueksgu flaglnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

LoxhZ; vfuy jk.kk th dks eSa 'kr~~&'kr~ ueu djrk gw¡A jk.kk th us ty laj{k.k] tSfod [ksrh ds fy, dk;Z fd;k gSA esjB esa ihus ds ikuh dh leL;k dks ns[krs gq, ikuh ds fy, vPNk dk;Z fd;kA ikuh ds lEcU/k esa mUgsa teZuh esa ^ou oYMZ vokMZ* dh mikf/k ls lEekfur fd;kA jk.kk th cPpksa ls Hkh csgn I;kj djrs FksA dqN Lyeksa esa jk.kk th us cPpksa dks f’k{kk gsrq vukSipkfjd f’k{kk dsUnz dh LFkkiuk dhA tks fd vkt Hkh lqpk: :Ik ls pyk;s tk jgs gSA vkdk'k ds ml rkjs ls] ftlls lkjk lalkj izdk'keku gks tkrk gS] mls [kks nsus ij fdl O;fDr dh vk¡[ksa ue ugha gksxhA

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jk.kk th ,d lPps lektlsoh FksA deZBrk] ifjJe o la?k"kZ muds pfj= ls Li"V >ydrs gSA os esjB esa lEiUurk rFkk pgq¡eq[kh fodkl pkgrs Fks ftlds fy, os thou i;ZUr lefiZr jgsA vkvks] muds liuksa dks iwjk djus ds fy, ladYi ys ;gh tufgr QkmaMs'ku dh vksj ls ml fnoaxr vkRek ds fy, lPph J)katfy gksxhA

lR;sUæ dqekj lnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

LoxhZ; vfuy jk.kk th okLro esa ,d drZO;fu"B O;fDr FksA muds fo"k; esa tks Hkh fVIi.kh fy[kh tk;s ;k dgh tk; de gSA jk.kk lj esa cgqr dqN djus dk tTck Fkk lcls vyx Fks oksA jk.kk lj izkgrh ds izgjh FksA mUgksaus ges'kk lekt ds fy, dqN u dqN fd;k gSA jk.kk lj ,d nhid dh ykS dh rjg Fks tks Lo;a va/ksjs esa jgdj nwljksa dks izdkf'kr fd;k djrs FksA mUgksaus ges'kk xjhcksa dh enn dh gSA jk.kk lj ,d Qwy dh rjg Fks tks f[kydj nwljksa dks [kq'kcw fn;k djrs FksA mUgksaus u tkus fdrus xjhcksa dk m)kj fd;k gS vkSj mu xjhcksa esa ls ,d eSa Hkh xjhc ?kj dk yM+dk gww¡A esjk uke izeksn gS vkSj eSa ,d NksVh lh cLrh dh ,d NksVh lh >ksiM+h esa jgrk gw¡A jk.kk lj gekjh cLrh esa vk;s vkSj ogk¡ ds xjhcksa dks ns[kk os yksxks ls feys vkSj mu ls ckrsa dhA ogk¡ ij jk.kk lj ls esjh eqykdkr gqbZ jk.kk lj us eq>s vius vkWfQl esa jkstxkj fn;k vkSj gekjh cLrh ds fy, ,d Ldwy cuok;k ftldk uke KkukJe j[kk x;kA jk.kk lj ds esjs thou esa cgqr ,glku gS ftudks eSa dHkh ugha Hkqyk ldrkA mUgksaus esjs Ldwy dh Qhl nh vkSj jkssstxkj fn;k mUgksaus esjs thou dks izdkf'kr dj fn;kA vc eSa bZ'oj ls izkFkZuk djrk gw¡ fd oks tgk¡ dgha Hkh gS mudh vkRek dks 'kkafr feysA

izeksn dqekjlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

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eSus vfuy jk.kk th dks dHkh ns[kk rks ugha ysfdu tufgr QkmaMs'ku ds lnL;ksa }kjk tks dqN eSaus muds ckjs esa lquk mlls ,slk yxrk gS tSls vkleku esa <sj lkjs rkjksa ds chp ,d lcls T;knk pedrk gqvk /kzqo rkjk gSA oSls gh bl lalkj esa ,d lcls T;knk vPNs] –<+ fu'p; okys rFkk nwljksa dh ftUnxh dks jkg fn[kkus okys O;fDr FksA vfuy jk.kk th bl lekt ds fy, izf'kf{kr ,oa izfr"Bkoku O;fDr FksA mUgksaus vius dBksj la?k"kZ }kjk tufgr QkmaMs'ku uke dk ,d jRu lalkj dks fn;kA vkt Hkh ge mUgsa vius chp eglwl djrs gSa rFkk mudh dgh gqbZ ckrksa dk vey djrs gSa eSa ges'kk mudk lEeku d:¡xhA

T;ksfrlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

fo’o esa c<+rs ty iznw"k.k ?kVrs gq, ty LRkj rFkk ikuh dknq:Ik;ksx gksrs ns[kdj Jh vfuy jk.kk th us tufgr QkmaMs’ku dh LFkkiuk dh vkSj ty ds lap;u dks viuk y{; cuk;kA ge cpiu ls lqurs vk;s gSa gesa viuk y{; lnSo mPp j[kuk pkfg,A mPp y{; ,oa mPp mn~~ns'; j[kus ij dksbZ O;fDr vFkok laLFkk mUufr ds iFk ij vxzlj gksrh gSA nwjn`"Vk Jh vfuy jk.kk th us Hkh vius y{; dks ,d xk¡o 'kgj ;k ns’k gh ugha cfYd fo’oLrj ij ty ds fy, yksxksa dks tkx:d djus dk] j[kkA ftldh 'kq:vkr mUgksus igyk jsu lsUVj cukdj dhA u;s rkykc cuok;sA ftlls mUgsa fo’oHkj esa [;kfr feyhA n`<+ ladYiksa ds /kuh Jh vfuy jk.kk th us vius thou dh vYiko/kh esa Lye cuok;sA cPpksa ds fy, gsYiykbu dh 'kq:vkr dh Jh vfuy jk.kk th ds vle; pys tkus ij muds }kjk yxk;s x;s tufgr QkmaMs’ku uked o`{k dks cM+k djds ftEesnkjh Jhefr vfurk jk.kk us vius dU/kksas ij yh gS] ge lHkh dk nkf;Ro curk gS bl laLFkk dks vf/kdkf/kd le`) cukus esa viuk ;ksxnku dj] vkus okys dy dks lq[kn cuk;sA dgkor gS fd cwUn&cwUn ls ?kV Hkjrk gS] gekjk ty lap; dk NksVk lk iz;kl Hkh ty dks cpkus esa vge~ ;ksxnku djsxk] ;fn ge le; jgrs ugh psrs rks bldk [kkfe;ktk vkxs vkus okyh ihf<+;ksa dks Hkqxruk

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i<s+xk] cMs+a fparu dk fo"k; gS fd xaxk] ;equk ds e/; esa jgrs gq, ikuh dh leL;k ls tw>uk iM+ jgk gSA gekjh ukle>h ls tyLrj fujUrj ?kVrk tk jgk gSA ;fn ge vius vius ?kjksa] dkyksafu;ksa esa o"kkZ ds ty dks lap; djus gsrq jsu okVj gkosZfLaVx djk;sa rks gekjk ty Lrj Bhd gksxk gesa ikuh dh fdYyr ugha >syuh iMs+xh] izÑfr dh j{kk gekjh LokHkkfod ftEesnkjh gS gesa fdlh ds Hkjksls ugha cSBuk gSA vkb;s ge ladYi ys dh Jh vfuy jk.kk th }kjk yxk;s x;s bl ikS/ks dks o`{k dk vkdkj nsus vkSj ty dj lap; dj viuk o fo’o dk dY;k.k djsaxsA

dfork 'kekZlnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku

Although I had never met Anil, in assisting in compiling this book I feel I have come to know the man that he was. No matter where I went or whom I conversed with people spoke about Anil with such passion and praise that it was evident to me he had left a great imprint upon them. His influence on those his associated with was evident from their words and the raw emotions that they displayed in retelling old stories or sharing their own personal tales of their time with Anil. It is obvious to me that he was a man driven by a strong sense of purpose, an idealist who saw no obstacle as unmoveable and whom shared with so many his vision for a better future for his people and their homelands. The attachment he had to the land he called home, the earth, air and water as well as its people and wildlife were his motivation and inspiration and I can see this in all the work he did. It is my strong belief that this world keeps of you only what you give to it and it is clear to me that Anil has given many great things. His legacy is

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far reaching, not only in the tangible results of his work but in hearts and minds of those he influenced. I am a true believer in social justice, in a fair and free society and most of all in humanity and our ability to create a better world for ourselves. This belief is reinforced whenever I hear of the thoughts and deeds of people such as Anil Rana.

Kevin MundyUK - Volunteer with Janhit Foundation

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