This green oasis is a drought-proof village in Rajasthan
In the arid and dry landscape of Rajasthan, one village stands out like a green oasis. Lapodia, with a little over 300 households, is a drought-proof village and is located just two hours away from the state capital Jaipur.
Until 1970, Lapodia used to be like any other village inflicted with frequent drought in the region. But in 1977, a young man called Laxman Singh quit his school and got on a journey to fix the water crisis in his village. He first started by repairing a defunct pond in the village.
His efforts inspired young people from the village to join him. After meeting some success, he started an organisation that would harvest rainwater and restore ponds. The organisation was later named Gramin Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Lapodia (GVNML). GMVNL's efforts began to show results.