“For Survival Save Water, Our Existence Is In Danger Without Water”, Syed Irshad Ali, an Udaipurite is putting endless efforts to spread this message. Irshad has made “Astiva” (existence), Map of Udaipur District using more than 2000 empty Matkas (earth pots) in the bed of dried Lake Pichola. Earth pots own a very respectable position in Indian households. Alas.!! Negligence on our part has created a situation that our lakes have dried and we have to use these pots for creating awareness..!!

Irshad Ali is an emerging artist who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from M.L.S.U. and Masters in fine arts from Chitrakala Parishad Banglore. Inspired from the pictures of people struggling for water in rural and distant areas, he decided to do something which could create awareness about water. This idea clicked him three months back when he was in Berlin, Germany. One of the reasons behind this initiative was the fact that “Visual Impacts Last Long”, people read about saving water but they forget it over a period of time. But he wished to do something which could last long and can remind people of the need of water conservation.

He shared this idea with the Irrigation Department and they approved it along with their support and permission to do so. His family and friends aided him financially and gave moral support. Lake Conservation Committee and common mass also extended their help.

Irshad Ali is also interacting with the visitors, sharing views and motivating them to save water and save lakes.

I asked him about the reason behind making this map in Lake Pichola and not any other lake. He answered that there are two bridges and on other two sides are inhabited by houses and shops. The lake is situated in the midst of the city. This provides a large viewing with greater impact.

He started the task on June 26 and with great efforts he was successful in completing it on June 27. His art work will be available for public viewing till 30^th June.

UdaipurTimes.com supports the efforts of Irshad and requests all its readers to spread the message online and offline. A word of mouth can make a big difference. We request you to visit Lake Pichola and motivate the young boy.

Lets pray to the God that it rains good this year and also, let’s hope that people understand the efforts put by this young boy and take care that they do not waste water.