Mr. Janak Daftari (1949–2025)

Image Courtesy: The Hindustan Times

IIT Bombay fondly remembers Mr. Janak Daftari (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, Class of 1971), a passionate alumnus and a tireless champion of environmental causes, who passed away on February 27 at the age of 74. A long-time advocate for water conservation and river revival, Mr. Daftari dedicated the latter part of his life to the rejuvenation of Mumbai’s Mithi River. In a moving tribute, his family immersed his ashes in Powai Lake—whose waters ultimately flow into the Mithi—bringing his lifelong mission full circle.

Mr. Daftari’s professional journey began in the computer hardware and peripherals sector. But inspired by the work of Rajendra Singh, the ‘Waterman of India, ‘ he transitioned fully into environmental work in the early 2000s. He launched the NGO, Jal Biradari, and ran a sustainable wastewater treatment business, building awareness around the urgent need to protect Mumbai’s fragile water ecosystems.

He was one of the earliest voices to link the neglect of the Mithi River to the devastating Mumbai floods of 2005. His deep conviction led him to mobilize his IIT Bombay alumni network, where he regularly organized meetings and engaged fellow alumni in discussions on environmental responsibility.

Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, RTI activist and friend, remembers him as being an out-of-the-box thinker. Another IIT Bombay alumnus, Mr. Rohit Somani, who had worked closely with Mr. Daftari since 2001, recalled that even if one constricts the flow of a river, it will find a way to break out and reclaim its space.

Mr. Daftari was also instrumental in taking the fight for the Mithi River to the courts, joining public interest litigations alongside other environmental advocates such as Mr. Jagdish Gandhi and Mr. Stalin D of Vanashakti. Although the road was fraught with challenges and bureaucratic inertia, he remained, as his friends described, “the eternal optimist.” His efforts may not have seen full implementation, but they sparked a movement, raised awareness, and left an indelible mark on Mumbai’s environmental discourse.

Mr. Jagdish Gandhi expressed poignantly that even though many court orders were in favour of the river, they were never implemented.

Mr. Daftari’s legacy lies not only in the projects he undertook but in the awareness he stirred and the sense of responsibility he inspired in others. He was, in the words of his son Irshad, “an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. My personal hero.”

“I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. We knew him as a very passionate IIT alumnus with impactful work in the water remediation area,” said Prof. Ravi Gudi, Dean ACR, IIT Bombay. “IIT Bombay conveys its heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones.”

May his legacy continue to inspire generations, and may his soul attain eternal Sadgati.

Read more about Mr. Janak Daftari’s life, contributions, and the people he impacted profoundly here: Hindustan Times