The Life and Times of Anil Rana - Janhit Foundation

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

A tribute from the Janhit Family
© Janhit Foundation
180/7 Shastri Nagar
Meerut (UP)
0121-2763418 / 4004123
janhitfoundation@gmail.com
www.janhitfoundation.in
Designed and Printed at :
Systems Vision, New Delhi
systemsvision@gmail.com

Synopsis
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.

Contents
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

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 20 th 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.
1

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 10 th 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.
2

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
3

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
4

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 1 st 1989 and 2 nd being Kanishk
on June 13 th 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
5

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.
2
Abhishek Chaturvedi, Charities Aid Foundation India, New Delhi
6

“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.
7

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 4 th
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.
8

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.
9

“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 2 nd 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.
10

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
11

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
12

odies, 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
13

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.
14

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
15

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
16

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
17

ond 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
18

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
19

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
20

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
21

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.
22

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.
23

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.
24

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
25

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.
26

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'
1

At a two-day National Seminar organised at Allahabad on Groundwater Contamination in UP
Water was a subject he was never short of words for
Visiting an art instilation
in Geneva
Outside the United Nation Headquarters in Geneva
2

With the FIAN team
Posing with the local heroes
On the tourist trail
3

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

Explaining the environmental concerns to the
officials from the Daurala Sugar Works
With a local monument
Two visionaries walk side by side. Anil with
Sompal Shastri Ji
An acknowledgement by UNICEF and Water
Aid for Anil’s achievements
Admiring the flora
The attentive listener

With a fellow participant at the World Organic Congress
Honouring Dr. S. B. Singh, Sr. Scientist, CGWB
Popularising Rain Water Harvesting in Meerut
Taking the members of the Ladies Club for a round
of the exhibition at the Rain Centre
Inaugurating the Rain Centre at Meerut with dignitaries
6

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
Sharing the platform with Vandana Shiva in a
public meeting on Ganga pollution
Encouraging local people to take responsibility for their
own water resources
7

Addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Water
With CHILDLINE officials in a meeting
Giving an introductory speech on organic farming techniques
8

Welcoming the delegates at a National Conference organised by the Janhit Foundation
With Mr. Naimur Rehman, Head, One World South Asia at village Khandrawali in Meerut district
9

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
A discussion with Sudhirendar Sharma

With Sunderlal Bahuguna ji
Two legends together
Lending his support to a tree
planting initiative
Addressing an informal gathering of farmers

Briefing the press on Janhit Foundation's initiatives
Providing training in organic farming techniques
12

Seminar on organic farming in the presence of Mahendra Singh Tikait ji, Sompal Shastri ji, K K Roy and others
At a Paani Panchayat with Kaushal Kumar Sharma, Lecturer at Deptt of Geography, Kirorimal College,
New Delhi
13

Release of the ‘Restoring Daurala’ publication
Taking Ahish Tiwari, DFO, Meerut on a tour of the Herbal Garden
14

At a workshop on vermiculture in Meerut
An accomplished speaker
During his initial days at Janhit
At the inauguration of Organic Aaharam with
Vasant Saberwal from Ford Foundation and Satish
Chander, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture
Awarding the trophy to the Eco Club students of S.D. Public School, Muzaffarnagar
15

Anil Rana
Anita Rana
Kartik Rana
16
Kanishk Rana

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.
27

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.
28

5
Thoughts and Opinions
by 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

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 Narain
Director, 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
30

passing is a cruel blow to family and friends, but also for all
the wonderful projects he was working on.
Vasant Saberwal
Ford 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. SINGH
Central 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
31

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 cs ;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
32

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

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 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
34

,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 Sodhi
UNDP - CEE, New Delhi
35

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
36
pkS/kjh egsUnz flag fVdSr
v/;{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

izfrQy FkkA fuf’pr :Ik ls mudk dkjok¡ vkxs c

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 ;kno
flikgh] 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
38

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. Chakraborthy
Central 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
39

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. Mishra
C.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 Mahapatra
Water 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
40

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`

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 caly
C;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
42

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

For the One World Award Jury and the Rapunzel
company.
Bernward Geier
Jury 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 Kumar
Jagar 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
44

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 Anand
Editor, 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
45

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 Aditya
Systems 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 Thakkar
Dams, 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.
46

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 Kaushal
Water 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 Gupta
Freelance Journalist, Meerut
47

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
48

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
49

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
50

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 Bansal
Subharti 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. Nirbhay
Panipat
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;
51

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;≤ 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 frokjh
laoknnkrk] 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
52

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 Maheshwari
Merck 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 Sarkar
Technical 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
53

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 Sharma
PHD 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
54

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 Sharma
Director, 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 Santen
My 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
55

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`

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

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 Sharma
Meerut College, Meerut
58

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; flag
ijekFkZ 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
59

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 Jena
Cabinet 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;≤ 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

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;k
iwoZ 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';i
lektlsoh] 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
61

cgqr lQyrk ls vkxs csnkjh 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 xqIrk
esjB 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 requested
Dr. 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
62

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 Ganotra
CHILDLINE 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 Singh
Army School, Meerut
He came- He saw - He conquered
He had a spark, a passion to be unconventional
His guiding us as his students to learn more from the
outside the class
From silence of Self
And from noise of mind
Has given us a vision
And a philosophy to live life
His magnetism influenced us all
Friends and critics alike
We are thankful to him
And pray god to release his services to the world as such
souls are required more here than there.
Mukesh Tuteja
President, Improvement Trust, Panipat
63

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 preengineering
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 Arora
S.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.
64

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 Srivastava
Socialite & 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.
65

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 Arora
Panipat
Jh vfuy jk.kk rFkk eSa cpiu ds lkFkh jgs gSSaA eq>s muds lkFk
i

vkt i;kZoj.k ij dk;Z djus okyk Hkkjr dk loZçFke laLFkku gksrk]
MkŒ lkgc dh çsj.kk ls eSaus Hkh eqtQjuxj 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 dqekj
eqtQjuxj
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

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

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 cfs 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 ;qx
iq:"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 lSQh
esjB
69

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

Lo0 Jh vfuy jk.kk us ns'k dh jh

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

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 Bhattacharya
Student, 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`

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 xqIrk
esjB
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 caly
esjB
“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’.
74

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 Rekhi
Principal, Shanti Niketan Vidyapeeth, Meerut
It was August 30 th 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 ragpicker
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
75

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 18 th 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!
76
Sadhna Arora
CJDAV, 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.

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.
77
Mrs. Sonal Rupela
Ex-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

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;kxh
iwoZ 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 Hudda
Member, Janhit Foundation
78

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 oekZ
lnL;] 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
79

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 Kaushik
Member, 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'kodqekj
lnL;] 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
80

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`

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 dqekj
lnL;] 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
82

uke ls tkusaA vfuy jk.kk th vkSj tufgr QkmaMs’ku dk uke bl
lekt esa ges’kk cuk jgsA
vk'kk jkuh
lnL;] 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 flag
lnL;] 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
83

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 dqekj
lnL;] tufgr QkmaMs'ku
84

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

isyuh 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 'kekZ
lnL;] 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 Mundy
UK - Volunteer with Janhit Foundation
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