Learn about the inspiring life and work of Shyam Sunder Paliwal, a social activist renowned for his transformative work in Piplantri, Rajasthan. His dedication to environmental conservation and women’s empowerment has made him a global icon.

Wiki/Biography

Shyam Sunder Paliwal was born on Thursday, July 9, 1964 (age 58 years as of 2022), in Piplantri, Rajasthan. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He completed his education up to the 12th standard before working in a marble company.

Family, Caste & Wife

He hails from a Rajasthani family. His father was Bhanwar Lal Paliwal, and his mother was Navali Bai. Sadly, his mother passed away from a snakebite when he was just six years old. He has five brothers and two sisters. He married Anita Paliwal on November 30, 1987. The couple had two daughters, Kiran and Himanshi, and a son, Rahul. Tragically, his elder daughter, Kiran, died of dehydration at the age of 18.

Father of Eco-Feminism

In 2006, Piplantri faced a severe drought due to extensive mining. This, coupled with the village’s low sex ratio due to female infanticide, prompted Shyam Sunder to take action. His initiative began with planting a Kadam tree in memory of his daughter Kiran, symbolizing enduring love.

Upon becoming the village sarpanch, he launched the ‘Kiran Nidhi Yojna’. This program plants 111 trees for every girl child born, alongside a fixed deposit of Rs. 31,000 (partially contributed by the family and the rest by the panchayat and villagers).

Further initiatives included the ‘Swajaldhara Yojana’ for water conservation (resulting in the construction of around 1800 check dams) and promoting an Open Defecation Free India project.

The villagers also cultivate aloe vera and roses, creating various products and generating employment opportunities.

Awards/Honours

• Awarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the New India Conclave in Delhi.
• Awarded by Akshay Kumar at the New India Conclave in Mumbai.
• Received the ‘Nirmal Gram Award’ from former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2007.

Facts/Trivia

Piplantri’s transformation story is taught in schools in Rajasthan and Denmark. A large board at the village entrance displays the names of all girls born in the past year.

Shyam Sunder’s dedication involves daily inspections to ensure the projects’ smooth operation. His work inspired a 2016 Rajasthan government policy offering financial incentives to families for their daughters’ education.

His incredible work has been documented in a Hindi and Malayalam film, “Piplantri” (2017), and an Argentinian film, “Sisters of the Trees”. In 2019, he appeared with actress Sakshi Tanwar on the Karamveer episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Key Initiatives and their Impact