Tarun Jal Vidyapeeth (Tarun Water School)
Tarun Jal Vidyapeeth (TJV) is an initiative of Tarun Bharat Sangh. The idea of the TJV sprouted during the National Water Awareness Campaign. During this campaign, a need was felt to build the capacities of organisations and individuals working in the field of water conservation in India. TJV is a twofold alliance, between the rural traditions and the inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, and between the ancient and proven wisdom and modern scientific methods.
TJV caters to the requirements of an illiterate farmer and a highly educated person alike; the training provided in TJV enhancing the understanding and skills of those working or interested in working on issues of water management. To build a local leadership base and enhance capacities of local cadres on various issues of local governance, non-violent action, advocacy, social inclusiveness, diversity and livelihood rights, leadership development camps are conducted by TJV.
The objective of setting up TJV is not to construct a set of buildings but to raise a group of pupils who have a deep concern for water conservation and want to develop a better understanding. Tarun Jal Vidyapeeth does not believe in offering degrees but in building of water warriors. These pupils will serve as the pillars of the school.
The contents of these trainings are on voluntarism, personality development, motivation, soft skills, leadership, participatory processes of planning, campaigning, rights based legislative framework approach, institution building and inclusive growth. Thematically, it would address water issues including water as a basic human right, dwindling village water resources, community rights and duties, water governance and the importance of water conservation. The trained leaders will further take up the water governance agenda in their respective areas with the support of CBOs and panchayat bodies. The project will support the creation of local leadership able to facilitate inclusive development processes, the realization of rights and entitlements and the upholding of democratic values and principals.
The mode of imparting knowledge in TJV does not rely primarily on lectures and experiments of science in classrooms. But the entire country where efforts of water conservation are on serves as classrooms for the students.
TJV has till now facilitated following activities:
- Two-year course for “Water Warriors”.
- Short term capacity building course for all stakeholders in water management such as village institutions, NGOs, VO’s, CBO’s, GOs, Academicians, Scientists, bureaucrats, social activists etc.
- Organising State & National level workshops on vital issues related to water management and for working towards a more equitable and sustainable State Water Policy.
- Maintain and upgrade national mailing list and resource library on water.
- Publications of exemplary work and issues on water management