A Water Warrior's Journey to Transforming Communities
Shankar Bandi's story is one of inspiring change through personal passion and collective action
Shankar Bandi's childhood memories are not of carefree days but of witnessing his mother's daily struggle to fetch water. Growing up in Koppal, a district in southern Indian state of Karnataka facing water scarcity, Shankar was deeply impacted by the hardships his family and community suffered. He vividly remembers the burden his mother carried, trekking long distances just to ensure their basic water needs were met.
This early exposure to water scarcity wasn't merely an observation; it was a catalyst for action. From a young age, Shankar noticed the water wastage behaviour around him - leaky taps and pipes, water wastage and inefficient water use. He became more concerned as he learned more about the water challenges in his community.
This realization ignited a passion within Shankar to improve the water struggles faced by his community. His journey began with a commitment to make water accessible and respected by all. After completing his studies in Social Work, Shankar joined the Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), where he found the perfect platform to channel his passion for water conservation.
In 2023, Shankar took on the role of district coordinator for the "Save Water" project, a collaborative effort between SKDRDP, UNICEF, and the Government of Karnataka. The project aimed to empower communities to conserve water through various initiatives, including workshops, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building activities.
The "Save Water" project has empowered individuals to think critically about water usage and explore various water-saving techniques. What began with seven initial challenges, including fixing leaky taps, closing taps while brushing and shaving, running washing machines only at total capacity, taking shorter showers/doing bucket baths, and promoting individual and community access to soak pits, has expanded into a community-driven movement, all facilitated through a dedicated mobile application.
This initiative has not only reduced water wastage and promoted judicious consumption but also contributed to the community's overall well-being by promoting hygiene practices, thus preventing child and pregnant women's deaths, especially during droughts when access to clean water becomes critical.
"Seeing my mother's relentless efforts to fetch water left a lasting impression on me. It wasn't just about the physical exertion; it was the worry etched on her face, the uncertainty of having enough water for our family. That's when I realized the true value of this precious resource," recalls Shankar, a water warrior.
Driven by his belief in the power of youth, Shankar actively engaged young volunteers from organizations like the National Service Scheme (NSS) and Youth Red Cross. He understood that young people could be catalysts for change within their communities. Through awareness campaigns and workshops, Shankar inspired these volunteers to become champions of water conservation.
"The youth are the future of our society; by empowering them with knowledge and skills, we can create a generation of responsible water stewards who will safeguard this precious resource for generations to come". Shankar emphasizes.
But Shankar's efforts continued further. He reached out to government and private-sector employees, recognizing the importance of engaging stakeholders at all levels. Through sensitization workshops, he educated them about the community's water challenges and urged them to adopt simple water-saving measures in their personal and professional lives.
The "Save Water" project wasn't just about raising awareness and empowering individuals to take action. Shankar's leadership and dedication inspired over 30,000 young volunteers in Koppal alone to register their on-ground seven actions on water saving and conservation in the project's mobile application. These volunteers, in turn, trained an additional 52,000 community members and self-help group members.
"The impact of the 'Save Water' project goes beyond numbers; it's about empowering individuals to become agents of change in their communities, to take ownership of their water resources", reflects Shankar.
Shankar's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Anjali, a 21-year-old volunteer from Koppal, credits the project with opening her eyes to the importance of water conservation. Inspired by Shankar's leadership, she has taken it upon herself to educate others, conducting awareness programmes in nearby schools.
"Small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference. By teaching students about water conservation, I hope to inspire them to become responsible stewards of our environment," Anjali explains.
Bheemesh, a volunteer from the same village, advocated for water conservation in his community after attending an awareness programme.
"The programme made me realize our community's critical situation with water scarcity. By sharing what I've learned, I hope to contribute to a more sustainable future for us all," says Bheemesh.
The "Save Water" project, supported by UNICEF, has been instrumental in Shankar's journey to transform communities. The project has amplified its reach through collaboration and partnership and fostered a ripple effect of change. UNICEF's support was pivotal, providing resources, technical expertise, and advocacy to make the project successful.
"We started with a simple idea - to empower young people to become water stewards, but the impact has been extraordinary. Together, we are creating a future where water is accessible, respected, and cherished by all," says Shankar.
As Shankar Bandi continues his tireless efforts, supported by UNICEF and a host of dedicated partners, the ripple of change he initiated in Koppal resonates far and wide. With each drop saved and each mind enlightened, we move closer to a world where everyone plays a role in preserving our most precious resource. Shankar's journey is a testament to the transformative power of grassroots initiatives and collective action.
Let us strive for a future where water is available adequately for all and judiciously used.
