“I am an architect by education, but over the years, my work has gone far beyond designing buildings. Water became my mission, my obsession. It wasn’t something I planned—it started with childhood experiences that left a lasting impression.
I come from a Telugu family with roots in Tamil Nadu, but I grew up in Karnataka. Every summer, we visited my grandmother’s home in Kanchipuram, a place known for its ancient temples and step-wells. These weren’t just structures; they were living proof of how our ancestors valued water. Temple tanks were always full, step-wells held cool, clear water, and every drop was used wisely. No one called it “sustainability” back then—it was just common sense. Those memories stayed with me, shaping the way I saw water and conservation.
Years later, when I built my own home in Hyderabad, I realised how much had changed. Borewells were running dry, groundwater was disappearing, and every summer, the city struggled for water. That’s when I founded The Rainwater Project—a step towards reviving the water wisdom we had lost.
In the last decade, we have restored over 40 step-wells and water bodies across different regions. One of the toughest projects was the Bansilalpet Step-well, buried under 2,000 tonnes of debris for over 40 years. It took 16 months of effort, navigating bureaucracy, and rallying the community to restore it. Today, it’s a thriving public space, proving that conservation and urban life can go hand in hand.
Another proud moment was at Rashtrapati Nilayam, where we revived three historic step-wells and installed rainwater harvesting systems across 75 acres. On December 21, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated these restored wells. Now, the estate no longer needs water tankers—rainwater alone sustains it, just like in the past.
People often ask why I fight so hard for forgotten wells and dry lakes. The answer is simple: water matters. It’s not infinite, and we can’t afford to waste it. On World Water Day, I hope more people realise this and take action. Start small—harvest rainwater, revive an old well, stop wastage. You don’t need to be powerful to make a difference. You need to begin.”
- Kalpana Ramesh