The Latika Roy Foundation’s brother organization is the Peoples Science Institute – one of India’s best-known and most respected organizations in the field of environment, water resource management and disaster preparedness and response. We share their appeal for one of their longtime staff members who passed away yesterday.

Hira Lal, one of the Peoples Science Institute’s most dedicated staff members, died on July 14 after a long and valiant struggle with stomach cancer. He was 38.

Hira Lal discovered his passion and skill for community mobilising after participating in a PSI training program for watershed development in 2001. The next year he joined PSI’s field staff in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, and slowly but surely began to build a name for himself in the region. He was respected and well-loved by his colleagues for his willing nature, his community roots and his devotion to helping his fellow Himachalis find sustainable livelihoods.

When his cancer was diagnosed in January, 2014, Hira Lal took it in stride. He was cheerful and brave and determined to endure an aggressive treatment plan which seemed to offer some hope for a cure.

Alas, it was not to be. In June, after four rounds of chemotherapy, he stopped responding to treatment and his doctors told him there was no point in continuing. He suffered bravely for a few more weeks and finally passed away yesterday.

People like Hira Lal work quietly and without recognition for the good of their local communities and, ultimately, for the country. For over a decade, he toiled in difficult conditions to train farmers how to cope with drought – how to manage watersheds and how to make the best possible use of precious and limited natural resources. Hira Lal leaves Surendra Devi, his young wife, and their two children: Ankita, age 5 and Chotu, 18 months. PSI is committed to establishing a trust fund for our colleague’s family. We believe this is the least we can do to repay him for his career of social service to the nation.

Our goal is to raise a minimum of Ten Lakhs, the interest from which will go to support his children’s education and basic needs. You may donate by bank transfer using the information below:

Account Name        : Peoples Science Institute

Bank A/c  No.          : 055201000003578

Type of Account      : Saving

IFS Code                 : IOBA0000552

Bank Name             : Indian Overseas Bank

Branch                    : Kanwali Branch, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248006

Hira means “Diamond” and our Hira was well-named. He was a gem of a person and a precious jewel in PSI’s crown. We cannot bring him back, but we can honour his memory by ensuring that his family is looked after as he would have wished. Please be as generous as you can.