Rise above difference to bring about change, urges Aamir

About the problem that the NGO faced in reaching out to villagers, Aamir, addressing media on Saturday, said: "Well, we were aware of the fact that certain problems will come on our way, so we designed the whole programme in a way to deal with those obstacles. One of the biggest challenges is bringing people together for the cause."

"Look, our society is cracked on many levels. There are different political parties in every village, the caste system is very strong in villages. There are landowners, labourers from the different economic background. Convincing everyone how water-shade management is actually going to help all of them was a task."

"Since they came together to build up the watershed management system, there is a human bonding the developed among each other. It's a very different level of emotional binding. And tomorrow, if there is any problem, they are trained enough to handle that," he added.

Giving a conceptual example, Aamir said: "You see, water can only be stored in a pot which has no holes in it, right? Until people in a society come together like a pot, the water will not be stored. If there is any crack in the society, the idea will slip through, like water slips from a cracked pot. We are trying to bring people closer together in the same manner." Starting out with three talukas, now Paani foundation has extended their working areas to 75 talukas and according to Aamir, women are playing a very active role in executing the work.

People can participate by registering online from the Paani Foundation website and travel to the villages to donate their labour on May 1.