The Soul Traveller Podcast ft. Naresh Nain

Hosted by: Bhupendra Pratap Singh

Series: The Soul Traveller Podcast

Episode Overview

In this deep-dive episode of The Soul Traveller, we confront the "silent" crisis of water in Rajasthan—a crisis where the weight is carried almost exclusively on the shoulders of women. Joining us is Naresh Nain, a seasoned social entrepreneur who has spent years at the grassroots, witnessing the physical and social toll that water scarcity exacts on rural communities.

This conversation moves beyond the statistics of drought to the human stories of Katori and Jhulki. We explore how the lack of a basic necessity like water dictates the life trajectory of women in Rajasthan—affecting their health, dignity, and economic freedom—and how community-led engineering is finally turning the tide.

About the Guest — Naresh Nain

Naresh Nain is a prominent social entrepreneur and the driving force behind the Manjari Foundation. With a deep commitment to rural development, Naresh has pioneered a model of "Women-Led Institutions," believing that the most sustainable solutions come from those who face the challenges most directly.

Under his leadership, the Manjari Foundation has become a beacon of hope in the arid regions of Udaipur and Chittorgarh. By focusing on the intersection of gender equity and resource management, Naresh has helped thousands of tribal families move from a state of survival to one of security and resilience.

The Manjari Model: Restoring Water, Restoring Lives

Naresh discusses the scale of the foundation’s impact, which includes the development of over 500 water harvesting structures. With a combined storage capacity of 27,50,000 cubic metres, these structures are more than just reservoirs; they are the foundation of a new economic reality for rural Rajasthan. This segment highlights the shift from traditional, grueling water-fetching rituals to modern, solar-powered irrigation and the birth of local Jal Samitis (Water Committees).

Key Themes Discussed in This Episode

• The Gendered Burden: An honest look at the daily reality for women who trek for hours to fetch water, and the resulting "opportunity cost" for their education and income.

• Traditional Barriers: Understanding the context of Katori and Jhulki and how they relate to rural water access.

• Engineering Resilience: The technical and social process of building 500+ water harvesting structures.

• Jal Samitis: The formation and success of women-led Water Committees in managing solar-powered irrigation and drinking water.

• Grassroots Institutions: How the Manjari Foundation builds resilient local bodies to ensure that solutions remain sustainable long after the initial project ends.

• The Tribal Context: Tailoring water security solutions specifically for the unserved villages of Udaipur and Chittorgarh.

Campaigns & Impact

• Manjari Foundation Water Initiatives: A massive infrastructure project that has secured nearly 2.75 million cubic metres of water for tribal communities.

• Women-Led Grassroots Institutions: Empowering women to lead social and economic change through organized, community-based foundations.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a critical listen for anyone interested in social work, sustainable development, or gender studies. Naresh Nain demonstrates that the water crisis in India is not just an environmental issue—it is a social justice issue. His work serves as a masterclass in how to move beyond "charity" toward building robust, community-owned systems that offer long-term dignity and security.

About The Soul Traveller Podcast

The Soul Traveller Podcast documents conversations with changemakers, survivors, educators, travellers, and activists whose lives reflect resilience, purpose, and social responsibility. Hosted by Bhupendra Pratap Singh, the podcast captures stories that inspire reflection, action, and collective healing.