Raman Kant was born on November 5, 1980, in the great village of Poothi in the Meerut district, located in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab in the state of Uttar Pradesh. With a desire to do something different in his mind, Raman Kant, in the year 2001, at the age of 20, decided to improve the rivers of Doab. To understand the small rivers between the Ganga and Yamuna, he took foot journeys along these rivers. After understanding the suffering of the communities settled on the banks of these rivers, he initiated his efforts to solve it.

Meerut district, which was a leader in the revolution of 1857, was also at the forefront of the Green Revolution after independence.

Poothi village is situated 28 kilometers east of Meerut city, on the road leading to Mawana from Parikshitgarh town, which is three kilometers away from Parikshitgarh. The distance of the river Ganga from his village is only 10 kilometers. His father, Mr. Mahendra Singh, was a farmer who also worked as a supervisor in Mawana Sugar Mill on a temporary basis and retired in December 2023. His mother, Mrs. Kanti Devi, is a housewife. Raman had a brother, Rajat Kant, who was two years younger than him and an important pillar of his social life. Rajat died on March 22, 2019, due to swine flu. His grandfather, Late Sukkan Bhagat Tyagi, was a religious man who passed away in 1988, while his grandmother, Late Kashmiri Devi, was a housewife who passed away in 2012.

Due to having a large family, Raman's education until class five took place in his maternal uncle's village, Sabli, in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh. His school was Rajwanti Balika Shiksha Vihar Junior High School in Chamri town near Hapur city, where he studied until class five. In the sixth class, he got admitted back to Jai Kisan Inter College in his village Poothi and passed the tenth-class examination there. His 12th standard education was completed at Devanagari Inter College in the historical town of Parikshitgarh, located three kilometers away from his village Poothi.

After this, Raman completed his B.A. from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, and in the meanwhile, while staying in Hapur, completed a one-year computer diploma from Dolphin Computer Centre. He also completed a one-year Diploma in Journalism from Sam Higginbottom University of Agricultural Technology and Science, Allahabad.

In the village, his uncles and aunts all lived together in a mansion made of lakhori (small) bricks. The family was very big. Like everyone else, Raman also used to help with farming along with his studies. His temperament was a little different from the beginning, so sometimes he was exempted from farming work, in which he had no interest. He enjoyed making pencil art and was fond of gardening and the trees and plants in his surroundings. He was very fond of cricket and was a good player. The nearby villagers would often call him to play for their teams.

By living in a joint family, Raman developed a good understanding of the importance of family values, which benefits him to this day. There was no one in his family who could give him or any other youth in the family better career advice because everyone worked hard in agriculture. Raman didn't know what he wanted to do but felt that he would do something different and not take a job.

In the year 2000, the houses in the village were divided. Raman's family had to decide where to live, and his marriage started being discussed in the family. Like every parent, his parents too were worried that both brothers should get a job somewhere because farming did not provide much earning, and they wanted to see their children's lives better than their own. Both parents wanted Raman to become an engineer and his brother a doctor, but neither of them could become what their parents wanted. As happens in the family, when Raman completed his graduation, his parents started pressuring him to get a job. Because he had done a computer course, his maternal uncle, late Dushyant Tyagi, got him a job in a BPL company in Sahibabad. Raman worked there for only one day and returned to the village.

In the year 2001, both brothers started working in Hanuman Colonizer Private Limited in Meerut from the village with the help of their maternal uncle's contacts. This company had built a new restaurant on Roorkee Bypass in Meerut. Raman was given the post of coordinator and his brother was given the post of assistant coordinator. In the first month, both received a salary of Rs 3500, of which Raman received Rs 2000 and his brother Rs 1500. They gave Rs 3500 to their parents, who were very happy. When Raman returned to Meerut, he said he did not feel like doing this job and was scolded for it. He got a job at two-three other places so he could get married, but did not work anywhere for more than a month.

Raman did not feel like returning to Meerut from the village. Firstly, he did not want to do a job, and secondly, his parents were alone in the village. One day he was thinking about how to do what he wanted. The same day, one of his friends, Amit Gupta, who had a furniture shop in Modipuram, Meerut, introduced him to Mr. Anil Rana at his shop. Anil Rana, who had left his job at Kurukshetra University and formed a social organization called Janhit Foundation in 1998, impressed Raman greatly. Three days after meeting him, there was a Jal Sabha in Kishoripura, a village in Meerut (where he had built a pond). Anil Rana took Raman there. After that meeting, Raman went to his village and told his parents that he would now do water conservation and environment protection work. His parents' displeasure was unbearable. The next day Raman returned to Meerut and told the owner of the company that he could no longer work there, whereas his brother continued to work.

From here, Raman's brother's important role in his life began. They rented a room in Modipuram, Meerut, as they had previously stayed in the company hotel. They brought a small gas cylinder fitted with a stove, flour, sugar, pulses, spices, utensils, etc., from home. The brothers started living there. One day, Raman called Anil Rana to meet him. Anil asked him to meet at a photostat shop in Phulbagh Colony at 10 am, but Raman arrived there at 8 am. He spent two hours sitting in the park of Suryakund and went to pay obeisance at the Jupiter Dev temple located there. When he reached Anil Rana, he directly told him that he wanted to work with him. Since only two years had passed since Anil founded the organization, he was also going through a period of struggle, and his family was also not supporting him. He informed Raman of his situation and said he could not offer any money. Raman insisted that he only wanted to work and did not need money. Seeing his insistence, Anil agreed.

When Raman returned to the room in the evening and told his brother that he must do social work and would not get any money, his brother said it did not matter, as he was earning their expenses anyway. He had also started doing some separate work to look after the construction site and would receive some money from there. Flour and other kitchen items would come from the village. He encouraged Raman to do social work. When their parents learned about this, they were heartbroken but said, "Do whatever you want." Every day, Raman would go to Anil Rana from Modipuram, and every day he would receive new work, such as writing Hindi, going to the field, and meeting new people. Raman started enjoying this work. During this time, the company his brother worked for closed the hotel, reducing his brother's earnings. They didn't tell their parents out of fear. Keeping Raman's future in mind, Anil Rana arranged for him to learn Hindi at the Dainik Prabhat newspaper for good practice. It was a newspaper published in the evening. Raman would come to Dainik Prabhat for two hours every evening, properly handwrite the received releases, and give them to editor Subodh Sharma. Here, Pandey Ji was his guide. The daily commute from Modipuram to Prabhat (near Eve's Chapel, on the drain in front of NS College) cost Rs 14. There was a small dhaba near Dainik Prabhat where Raman ate every evening. Whatever the expenses were, his brother covered them. During this period, Raman lost about 10 kg of weight. When he went home, everyone started worrying about his condition.

One day, Raman had 20 rupees in his pocket. Anil Rana and he went from Phoolbagh in a rickshaw to meet someone. Anil didn't have money, so Raman gave ten rupees. When they returned to Phoolbagh, he gave the remaining ten rupees to the rickshaw puller. Now his pockets were empty, and he had to return to Modipuram. He didn't say anything to Anil and walked towards Begumpul because the buses to Modipuram ran from there. He walked about 10 kilometers from Phoolbagh to Begumpul. From there, he boarded a city bus to Modipuram. He requested the bus conductor to let him ride without paying and promised to pay the next day. The conductor allowed him to stand at a certain place behind. Raman gave him the money the next day.

During this period, Mr. Raman's brother began procuring trucks from Rodi-Badarpur on contract, aiming to save Rs 2 to 3 thousand per transaction, though this occurred monthly. Mr. Raman approached Anil Rana ji to arrange rainwater conservation training for his brother at the Central Ground Water Board. Following the training, Mr. Rana established 'Rain People' and engaged Mr. Raman's brother in rainwater conservation initiatives.

Simultaneously, Mr. Rana secured a five-lakh rupee fund from the Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi, for a pond study in Meerut district. Setting up office at C-28 Shastri Nagar, Meerut, Mr. Rana assigned Mr. Raman responsibility for the study. Mr. Raman organized eight teams of two members each to survey every village in Meerut district's ponds. Accompanied by his friend Vipul Jain, Mr. Raman personally visited approximately 322 villages in Meerut district on a motorcycle. He received a payment of twenty thousand rupees for this work, and the study was subsequently published.

Thereafter, Mr. Raman and his brother moved from Modipuram to rent a room at G-111, Shastri Nagar, where they resided. With Mr. Rana's organization securing additional projects, Mr. Raman began receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 1500. Despite having their own room, Mr. Raman was so engrossed in his work that he often stayed overnight in the office after reading environmental and water-related books until late. In the morning, he would clean the office, perform computer work, and then head out to the field. This routine continued uninterrupted for four consecutive years, punctuated by occasional visits to his village every 3-4 months.

Mr. Raman conducted extensive fieldwork in areas such as Daurala, Kali River, Hindon River, Malsinghwala Punjab, and pollution-affected villages of Saharanpur, specializing in studies of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). In 2006, he undertook a technical study of the Hindon River, traveling multiple times from Saharanpur to Gautam Buddha Nagar and creating a river map based on his findings, now utilized by both the Uttar Pradesh and Indian governments.

Over time, Mr. Raman's monthly earnings increased to Rs 9500. Throughout this period, he authored numerous books on water and farming, viewing his work not merely as a job but as a way of life.

There was significant pressure from Mr. Raman's family for him to marry, although he had reservations about it, fearing it might hinder his work. Eventually, amidst considerable challenges, Mr. Raman married on December 2, 2007. A year later, on September 18, 2008, his mentor Anil Rana passed away due to a heart attack, which brought a dramatic change to Mr. Raman's life. Balancing the responsibilities of a recent marriage and the resource-intensive nature of his work became daunting. Despite his reluctance to take up a conventional job or return to his village, Mr. Raman found himself navigating these new challenges. His wife, residing in the village, had to travel back weekly. Two years into their marriage, their first son was born in 2009, followed by a second son in 2010. During this period, Mr. Raman's brother supported the family financially, as Mr. Rana's demise had halted Mr. Raman's income.

Once again, Mr. Raman's younger brother became his pillar of support, encouraging him to continue his work by establishing a new organization. With a loan, his brother purchased a shop in a newly developed complex on Garh Road, where he established the office for Rain People. Mr. Raman also set up a small office for the Neer Foundation in the same space, launching his work from there. Despite facing financial constraints and operating without external support, Mr. Raman persevered, relying solely on his brother's assistance. The journey from 2009 to 2019 was marked by financial difficulties, delaying Mr. Raman's efforts to obtain necessary registrations such as 12A, 80G, and FCRA by two years. Nevertheless, he persisted with his work in villages and schools, focusing on projects like pond construction and river enhancement.

In February 2009, Mr. Raman received an unexpected email announcing the 5th World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul from March 16 to 22. Eager to participate, he applied and was fortunate to receive a waiver on the registration fee and an invitation to present at the forum. Securing a visa within five days, Mr. Raman's travel expenses were further alleviated when one of his supporters purchased his ticket. The forum organizers also arranged for his accommodation, meals, and local transportation, all happening so swiftly it felt surreal to him. On March 15, 2009, he accompanied his brother to New Delhi International Airport, where emotions ran high as they bid farewell. His flight departed at 3 AM, and after dropping off his brother, Mr. Raman's brother waited until he was sure the flight had taken off before returning to Meerut, as recounted to him by their mother upon his return.

Navigating the airport for the first time, Mr. Raman found the experience bewildering. He was guided through the process of obtaining his boarding passes for his connecting flights from Delhi to Dubai, and then Dubai to Istanbul. Trusting that his luggage would be automatically transferred between flights in Dubai, Mr. Raman reached Istanbul safely, where he managed to contact his brother on the third day. The experience at the forum profoundly influenced Mr. Raman's perspective, prompting him to think globally and aspire to greater endeavors. While in Istanbul, he encountered waterman Rajendra Singh, whose surprising reaction to his presence left Mr. Raman feeling unsettled, despite having invited Rajendra Singh to Meerut numerous times before. During the forum, he also met Shri Saifuddin Shoj, the Water Resources Minister of the Government of India, who warmly welcomed him and spent the day with him.

Returning to Delhi, Mr. Raman found himself inspired with new determination. Later in October, he was invited to participate in the 7th Asia Water and Environment Forum at Thammasat University, Bangkok, followed by a water conference at Nepal Engineering College in March 2010. Subsequently, he received invitations from various countries annually, though he often found himself reluctant to accept. In 2012, he was honored as an International Green Hero by the Green Organization of London, but due to financial constraints, he was unable to attend the ceremony at the House of Commons after not securing a visa despite being selected.

After returning from the World Water Forum held in Istanbul, Mr. Raman's efforts in water conservation gained international recognition. Following their participation, an email arrived from the World Water Monitoring Day team expressing interest in collaborating on spreading awareness about water testing. They provided water testing kits, and Mr. Raman and his team completed the assigned tasks ahead of schedule. Their proactive approach led to them being awarded Asia's Water Champion by the International Water Association and World Environment Federation consecutively in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Additionally, they received the Water Digest Award in 2011 and 2013 from Water Digest and UNESCO, along with the Water Oasis Award from World Water Monitoring Day. Their accolades continued with the Ground Water Award in 2016 from the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Gaon Gaurav, Vardaan Karmaveer Chakra, Earth Day Champion by Earth Day Network, Terry Award in 2020 for river conservation by Water Keeper Alliance, and several others including the Baker Award and the 21st Century Youth Icon Award from a London agency in 2020. In the same year, Mr. Raman was honored with the National Water Award from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

Following these achievements, Mr. Raman intensified his efforts in river rejuvenation with renewed dedication. He embarked on technical, policy, and grassroots initiatives for the small rivers of Ganga-Yamuna Doab. His work included identifying the origins of rivers such as Hindon, Kali Purvi, Kali Paschim, Krishna, Nagdehi, Pavdhoi, Dhamola, Neem, and Karvan, and initiating efforts to revive the Kali Purvi and Neem rivers. Mr. Raman effectively conveyed the concerns of these rivers from society to the government.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of India, Mr. Raman pioneered the country's first pollution-free modern crusher (jaggery making plant) in his village Poothi. Supported by UNDP and CE, he popularized the LR (Lalit-Raman) compost pit among farmers, enabling them to manage crop residues without burning while obtaining liquid and solid fertilizers. His initiatives also encompassed creating numerous models for pond rejuvenation and rainwater conservation. Additionally, he established a Rural Water Center in his village Poothi, which daily receives inquiries from dozens of people seeking solutions for pond management and rainwater conservation through Mr. Raman's dedicated team.

After immersing himself completely in river conservation efforts, Mr. Raman was connected with the Water Keeper Alliance, an international organization dedicated to river preservation, in 2017 by late Meenakshi Arora from India Water Portal. He was appointed as the East Kali River Water Keeper, marking a significant step in his journey. Shortly thereafter, in June 2017, he attended the International River Seminar of Waterkeeper Alliance in Deer Valley, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. During this seminar, Mr. Raman had the opportunity to interact with global organizations and representatives working towards river conservation, gaining insights into their work. His collaboration with the then Divisional Commissioner Dr. Prabhat Kumar enabled significant progress for the Hindon River in Meerut, leading to his additional appointment as the Hindon River Waterkeeper by Waterkeeper Alliance.

Continuing his impactful contributions, Mr. Raman attended the 2018 International River Seminar organized by Waterkeeper Alliance in Buffalo, USA. His visit extended beyond the seminar, allowing him to explore other rivers in America such as the Genesee and witness the majestic Niagara Falls.

Recognizing his expertise and commitment, the Government of Uttar Pradesh appointed Mr. Raman as a member of the State Wildlife Board in 2018. He has been actively involved with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of India, particularly in Western Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Raman has also been entrusted with various roles in water-related committees by the Uttar Pradesh government and currently serves as the president of the Ground Water Army, a position he holds with pride and dedication.

However, life took a poignant turn for Mr. Raman on World Water Day, March 22, 2019, when his younger brother, his constant companion and supporter, passed away. Despite this profound loss, Mr. Raman draws strength from his brother's memory, feeling his presence every moment. In tribute to his brother, Mr. Raman initiated the 'Rajat Ki Boonde' National Water Award from 2020 onwards, honoring water activists and journalists on March 22 each year.

Despite the personal setback, Mr. Raman persevered, advancing his river conservation work systematically and refining his own model for river rejuvenation. He successfully revived the origin site of the East Kali River and conducted technical studies on numerous rivers, meticulously tracing lost river courses using historical documents like the British Gazetteer and Irrigation Department records. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic restricted his fieldwork for nearly two years, during which Mr. Raman utilized the opportunity to author a book on ancient ponds. The release of his book, attended by Sangh's Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat in Meerut on June 15, 2022, marked a significant milestone in his literary endeavors.

In June 2022, the Waterkeeper Alliance organized its International River Seminar in Washington DC from 5-12 June, where Mr. Raman had the opportunity to attend and address the participants. His impactful contributions were recognized with the prestigious Terry Baker Award by the Waterkeeper Alliance during this event. Following this, in August 2022, Mr. Raman played a pivotal role in developing the draft river policy for Uttar Pradesh, outlining a blueprint for the revival of the state's rivers and planning various related activities.

Drawing on his experience with the Waterkeeper Alliance, Mr. Raman spearheaded the formation of the Indian River Council in February 2023. This council aims to advocate for the improvement of Indian rivers and provide a platform for individuals passionate about river rejuvenation across the country. It seeks to consolidate comprehensive information about India's river systems, fostering a river-centric philosophy among its members.

A significant achievement came when Mr. Raman successfully revived the source of the NEEM River originating from Datyana village in Hapur district after two years of dedicated efforts. A River Festival celebrating this accomplishment was held on May 18, 2023. His efforts were further highlighted when, on June 18, 2023, the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, acknowledged Mr. Raman's endeavors in the 102nd episode of his 'Mann Ki Baat' program, emphasizing the revival of the NEEM River source.

Over the past two decades, Mr. Raman has actively participated in policy formulation and implementation across various domains. He has been instrumental in shaping Uttar Pradesh's river policy draft, contributing significantly to policies related to pond improvement and groundwater laws in the state. His technical studies on the Kali and Hindon rivers have informed governmental decisions, while his advisory role on environmental and water-related issues continues to be valued by administrations at all levels.

With a steadfast commitment to environmental education and sustainable agriculture, Mr. Raman remains dedicated to fostering societal respect for natural water sources and advocating for pollution-free rivers. His efforts extend to collaborating with both society and government, coordinating comprehensive strategies for the conservation and revitalization of India's rivers.

Embracing the ethos of 'Vasudeva Kutumbakam', Mr. Raman believes in harmonizing human development with environmental preservation. His overarching goal remains to ensure that every individual understands their responsibility towards nature, emphasizing sustainable development practices that safeguard natural resources for future generations. Currently, Mr. Raman continues to provide technical expertise and support for river rejuvenation projects nationwide, furthering his mission to restore and preserve India's invaluable river systems.

Mr. Raman pursued his writing hobby by contributing articles on water and environmental issues to daily newspapers and magazines. After a period of hiatus, he resumed this endeavor, focusing on national publications, a practice he continues to this day.

He actively works to dispel pessimism surrounding small rivers in the country, aiming to transform it into hope through his dedicated efforts. Mr. Raman believes in the societal responsibility towards water, rivers, and the environment, emphasizing that the revival of rivers like Kali and Neem can foster awareness among the populace.

Drawing inspiration from his reverence for nature, Mr. Raman views Shiva as symbolic of natural elements, guiding his steadfast dedication. Supported by thousands of volunteers from villages, towns, and cities across the country, his goal remains seeing clean and uninterrupted rivers flowing nationwide. He persists in his mission with unwavering commitment, diligence, and integrity.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Raman perceives his calling as a divine appointment. Despite challenges, he acknowledges timely divine intervention that has buoyed him through difficulties and reinforced his resolve. With steadfast faith in divine guidance, Mr. Raman remains resolute in achieving his goals, trusting in continued divine support to sustain his mission indefinitely.