On assignment for JLR Explore, the official blog of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. Read the full interview here.

A quick context

Criss-crossing through Bengaluru traffic, I drove over to the charming and earthy Vishwanath residence in BEL layout sometime in late July for what turned out to be a deeply engaging and edifying conversation spread over half a day with Vishwanath Srikantaiah, our city’s own water conservation expert. His work has been creating livelihoods for well-diggers and altering the way we view and manage our water resources.

Vishwanath’s distinctive views and ideas on water management, governance, livelihoods, people, and a very tiny peek into the meaningful life he has crafted for himself together with his architect wife Chitra, far-removed from so many mundane, aspirational and consumption-driven lifestyles, were refreshing and left me hopeful for the next generation.

Whenever I have the opportunity to meet people like Vishwanath, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to meet a few such individuals who have charted their own course and veered-off the rat race to use their time, skills and energies for the betterment and welfare of humanity, society, forests, and fellow beings, I add them to my list of exceptional role models that my two boys can look up to, the kind our world truly needs. Thankful for them.