Amla Ruia is a renowned Indian social activist celebrated for her impactful work in water conservation. Her dedication has earned her the esteemed title of “Water Mother of India (Jal Maata).” She leads the Aakar Charitable Trust, spearheading significant initiatives across the nation.

Wiki/Biography

Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1946, Amla Ruia (as of 2019, age 73) has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others. Her family background is rich and influential, stemming from the prominent Dalmia family known for establishing Dalmia Nagar in Bihar. She is a woman of deep spiritual inclination, a trait she inherited from her upbringing.

Family, Caste & Husband

Amla Ruia hails from a Hindu family. She was married to Ashok Ruia, a successful businessman, who sadly passed away in January 2019. The couple had three children: a son, Atul Ruia (MD of Phoenix and Palladium Malls), and two daughters, Sharmila Dalmia and Kavita Khaitan, both happily married.

Career/Water Harvesting Work

Inspired by the plight of drought-stricken Rajasthan (late 1990s), Amla established the Aakar Charitable Trust to tackle water scarcity. Their first project, a check dam in Mandawar village (her husband’s birthplace), marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

The trust’s impact is significant. Between 2000 and 2005, they constructed nearly 200 drinking water kunds. By 2017, they had built almost 200 check dams across over 115 villages in Rajasthan alone. The villagers themselves contribute 30-40% of resources, while the trust provides the remaining 60-70%. Their reach extends beyond Rajasthan, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Amla also collaborates with Grammangal NGO, focusing on promoting girls’ education in rural areas.

Awards & Honours

Amla Ruia’s tireless efforts have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards:

• IIM Lucknow National Leadership Award (2011): For Community Service and Social Upliftment
• India Eye International Human Rights Observer Achievement Award (2018)
• Nav Bharat Award (2019)

Favourite Things

Amla Ruia’s personal preferences offer a glimpse into her character:

• Poet: Maithili Sharan Gupt
• Actor: Amitabh Bachchan

Facts

Amla Ruia enjoys reading and writing poetry. Her greatest fulfillment, as she herself has stated, comes from witnessing the transformed lives of villagers whose economic conditions have dramatically improved thanks to access to water and the ability to cultivate crops like wheat. In 2019, she appeared on the popular Indian television show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, further amplifying her message of social change.

Amla Ruia’s Family Tree