Governing Council
HH Maharaja Gaj Singh Jodhpur
Chairman
HH Maharaja Gaj Singh is a distinguished figure in the international arena, with numerous publications, books, and films highlighting his life and achievements. Serving as a member of Parliament and the Rajya Sabha, his diplomatic roles have been extensive, notably as the Indian High Commissioner in the West Indies, with accreditation spanning nations like Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and several others, including the Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands. His leadership capacities have been evident as he helmed the Rajasthan State Tourism Development Corporation and received accolades such as the Hadrian Award from the World Monument Fund and the IATO’s Hall of Fame Award. Maharaja Gaj Singh’s philanthropic endeavours are commendable. He has founded various institutions and trusts that focus on women’s education, public health, rural development, and the conservation of heritage, culture, and art. In the realm of education, he stands as Chief Patron and Chairman for multiple institutes. His associations span a wide array of organisations, from being the Founder President of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association Jodhpur to a Trustee of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation. Moreover, he is associated with the Federation of International Polo, Paul Harris Rotary International, and the National Tourism Advisory Council, among others. Furthermore, he proudly chairs the Khetri Trust.
Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari
Vice Chairman
Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari is an esteemed global figure in the scientific community, holding the position of Secretary-General for the People’s World Commission on Drought and Flood. Celebrated for his groundbreaking work in water science, technology, and sustainable development, Dr. Tiwari has been instrumental in shaping discussions around worldwide water-related challenges. His pivotal role as the Chairman of W119 Climate Resilience: Addressing Drought and Floods at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York testifies to his deep global commitment in water sustainability. Furthermore, Dr. Tiwari has founded a comprehensive technetwork, bridging the collaboration of over 100,000 professionals from more than 150 countries. His extensive contributions to academic and scientific research underscore his resolute dedication to pivotal topics like water, sustainability, and environmental conservation. In addition to his substantial contributions, Dr. Tiwari holds a position of prestige in academia as a distinguished professor and has been honoured with numerous professional accolades and roles since 2002. His academic achievements are further highlighted by notable fellowships, including the Marie Curie Fellowship from The European Commission, a research associateship at the University of Wisconsin, USA, the JSPS Regular and Bridge Fellowships sponsored by the Japanese Government, and the High-End Foreign Talents (Category A) recognition from China Government. Dr. Tiwari also takes pride in serving as the Editor-in-Chief for a renowned international journal and has an impressive portfolio of around 50 published books centred on advanced materials, nanotechnology, and water innovations. Owing to his vast expertise, he is a sought-after authority, consistently participating in key committees across governmental and non-governmental sectors.
Prithvi Raj Singh
Member
Prithvi Raj Singh completed his early education at Mayo College, Ajmer, subsequently earning a B.A., LLB, and MBA. After gaining experience in a multinational corporation, he ventured into entrepreneurship and soon achieved success. By the age of 26, he ascended to the presidency of Kopyrite Ltd, pioneering the manufacture of carbonless paper in India. Mr. Singh’s visionary zeal led him to establish the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF) as its Founder-Managing Trustee. Under his adept leadership and unmatched management acumen, JBF witnessed exponential growth, impacting over 300,000 lives by addressing their water scarcity challenges. His management encompassed water projects spanning 4,500 sq.km across 500 villages. A significant contribution by Prithvi Raj Singh was the renovation and rejuvenation of the Bijolai Palace, graciously granted to JBF by HH Maharaja Gaj Singh. This revitalization birthed the Water Resource Centre, a unique entity championing community participation in water resource management. The Centre stands as an exemplar in community-oriented natural resource governance. Further expanding his philanthropic reach, Singh founded the Jal Marudhara Foundation, promoting access to clean water and bolstering rural livelihoods. His roles extend as Trustee of both Jal Baradari and Khetri Trust, Chairman of Marwar Lok Vikas Manch, and participation in various water-focused missions and committees, including the Rajiv Gandhi Water Mission and the Steering Committee of the European Union State Partnership Water programs, among others.
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Dr. Rajendra Singh
Member
Dr. Rajendra Singh, widely known as “Water Gandhi”, holds the prestigious position of chairman for the People’s World Commission on Drought and Flood. He has been celebrated globally for his monumental contributions to water conservation, notably receiving the esteemed Stockholm Water Prize in 2015, bestowed upon him by King Carl XIV Gustaf of Sweden, the prize’s patron. Further highlighting his accolades, Dr. Singh was awarded the distinguished Magsaysay Award, often deemed the Asian Nobel Prize, presented by the Philippine President. As the helm of Tarun Bharat Sangh and the founding force behind Jal Baradari, Dr. Singh’s 45-year odyssey in water conservation is nothing short of remarkable. He has breathed life back into 13 rivers and has supervised the creation of 20,000 water edifices spread across over 1500 villages. Through his relentless efforts, once parched rivers in Northeast Rajasthan now flow year-round. His visionary endeavours have also spurred 90 villages to form Forest Protection committees, leading to transformative shifts in 1058 villages, a testament to his profound impact. Dr. Singh’s extensive knowledge and experience have earned him influential positions on key governmental committees in India, such as the National Ganga Basin River Authority, Expert Empowered Committee under the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Literacy Mission spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Over the years, he has been the recipient of numerous esteemed honours, including the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, Rotary India Award, Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Man of the Year Award, Vivekananda Award, among others, cementing his legacy in the realm of water conservation.
Kanupriya Harish
Member
Kanupriya Harish, hailing from the development sector, holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, and furthered her education in Sustainable Environmental Management at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. Serving as the Executive Director Trustee of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, she plays a pivotal role in a premier NGO specialising in the water domain. Her accolades include the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Water Prize at the 7th World Water Forum in Korea. One standout research endeavour of hers, “Water resource management for adaptation to climate change through community action,” secured the third position in the UN “Water for Life” Award. Additionally, she has been honoured with national recognitions such as the “Times of India Social Impact Award” in 2015, the top NGO accolade for championing rainwater harvesting at the 7th UNESCO-Water Digest Award, and the Sixth Dalmia Water and Conservation Award presented by the Governor of Rajasthan. Globally, she has made her mark as a nominated member of the International Steering Committee of the World Water Council and as an elected member of its Executive Committee based in France.
Dr. Ashuman Mishra
Member
Dr. Anshuman Mishra has a profound commitment to propelling the domains of aquatic biotechnology and waterborne health science. His research primarily delves into infectious diseases—encompassing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa—as well as non-communicable diseases. A proud alumnus of the Institute of Medical Science at Banaras Hindu University, India, where he secured his PhD, Dr. Mishra boasts a multifaceted research pedigree. His journey has seen collaborations with renowned entities such as India’s CSIR, the University of Cambridge in the UK, Pusan National University in South Korea, and the Institute of Advanced Materials in Sweden. An active innovator, Dr. Mishra is at the helm of emerging healthcare technologies and takes a keen interest in bringing groundbreaking healthcare solutions to the market. He is a cornerstone in numerous international consortiums and garners backing from a spectrum of national bodies like DBT, DST, ICMR, and the Immunology Foundation. His work also enjoys the patronage of global institutions, including the Wellcome Trust, NIH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
Dr. Gun Anit Kaur
Member
Dr. Gun Anit Kaur stands at the forefront of water sustainability research and the intricate dynamics of the water-energy nexus. With an unwavering dedication to water conservation and a vision for a greener future, Dr. Kaur has carved a niche as a pivotal force in water mitigation efforts. Recognized for her significant impact, she now holds the esteemed position of Managing Editor for a renowned international journal. Under her editorial leadership, pivotal research on water sustainability reaches a global audience, sparking innovation and nurturing collaborations. Dr. Kaur’s research delves deep into the interplay of water, and energy. Committed to bringing her research findings to life, Dr. Kaur has secured multiple patents reflecting her pioneering initiatives. In a testament to her exceptional scientific achievements, she was honoured with the prestigious Scientist Award at the 54th Assembly of the Advanced Materials Congress held in Orlando, USA. Beyond her individual pursuits, Dr. Kaur has masterfully orchestrated international consortiums with giants such as United Nations, the European Commission and American-African Cluster Councils. Her integrative approach enables the amalgamation of global insights and resources, confronting and overcoming the intricate challenges of climate change.