KIGALI - Dr. B. P Agrawal yesterday emerged the winner of this year’s Energy Globe World award after his innovative project was voted the best by the audience at a colourful ceremony held yesterday in Kigali.

Agrawal who grew up in a small village in Rajasthan, India, had to carry water daily in his childhood and this experience gave him an idea the rain water harvest project dubbed, "river from heaven,” that today serves 10,000 people with clean safe water.

Speaking after his victory, the award winner expressed that people should never give up on finding solutions to major issues in society, emphasizing that these initiatives, however, should be in line with environment conservation as well.

"I am so happy because this award recognizes my efforts and contribution to my community’s development. What I have done is globally recognizable and I intend to do much more,” Agrawal said.

Of the 15 nominated projects worldwide, Vinah Ganoo from Mauritius scooped the award in the earth category, Gunnar Nielsen from Norway in the fire category and Jacky Lin from Taiwan in air.

Ana Trabucco from Argentina also scooped the award in Youth category as Agrawal claimed the water category award as well.

Prime Minister, Bernard Makuza, Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega and Environment and Lands Minister, Stanislas Kamanzi, were among the officials who presided over the ceremony which drew representatives from 150 countries across the world.

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