The credit for the socio-economic turnaround of Raj-Samadhiyala village in Rajkot district of Gujarat goes to Hardevsinh Balwantsinh Jadeja, the 48-year-old head ( sarpanch ) of the village council. He thinks that rainwater harvesting is the only solution to deal with the grave water crisis in the Saurashtra region of the state.

In 1985, Jadeja, a post-graduate in English literature, was selected for the post of deputy commandant in the Central Reserve Police Force, a rank equivalent to deputy superintendent of police. At the same time, Jadeja was also offered the post of sarpanch by the village development committee. He opted for the latter, a courageous decision as he was foreswearing the comfort and security of a government job. "If you are strong as a person prosperity comes to you. You do not need to run after it. Today, I lead a life of comfort and luxury in my own village along with my neighbours," Jadeja observes.

In 1986-88, Jadeja organised the village to take up 12 watershed management (WM) projects. He also initiated a drive to plant trees. Today, the village is one of the most prosperous ones in the area.