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Shyam Sunder Paliwal Biography: Age, Career, Family and More
Quick Info
Date of birth9 July 1964
Age55 Years (as in 2019)
BirthplacePiplantri, Rajasthan
ProfessionSocial-Activist
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpouseAnita Paliwal
FamilyChildren: Son - Rahul Paliwal; Daughters - Himanshi Sanidhya Paliwal and late Kiran Paliwal
Shyam Sunder Paliwal Biography
Shyam Sunder Paliwal is an Indian social activist from Piplantri, Rajasthan, known for linking girl-child births with tree plantation and community welfare
Early life and backgroundShyam Sunder Paliwal was born on 9 July 1964 in Piplantri, a village in Rajasthan. He left school after completing the 12th standard and entered the workforce at a young age, taking a job with a private marble company while still a child. Paliwal grew up in a large family; his parents were Bhanwar Lal Paliwal and Navali Bai, and he has five brothers and two sisters. He married Anita Paliwal on 30 November 1987. The couple had three children: a son, Rahul Paliwal, and two daughters, Himanshi Sanidhya Paliwal and Kiran Paliwal. The death of his elder daughter Kiran as a teenager was a pivotal moment that shaped his later social work.
Career
Paliwal rose to prominence through grassroots activism in his native village. After becoming the village sarpanch, he set two priorities: end the practice of discriminating against girl children and restore the village environment that had been degraded by mining and drought. He launched Kiran Nidhi Yojna, a programme that links the birth of each girl child to the planting of 111 trees. Under the scheme, a fixed deposit is created for the newborn girl; the plan involves contributions from the child’s family as well as from panchayat members and other villagers, and the funds are handed over when the deposit matures.
The tree-planting initiative also became a wider rural development effort. Villagers planted more than 350,000 trees and cultivated plants such as aloe vera and roses to create products for sale, generating local employment. Paliwal also promoted water conservation through an initiative called Swajaldhara Yojana and oversaw the construction of roughly 1,800 check dams to help preserve water resources. His campaigns extended to public health and sanitation goals, including work toward making the village open-defecation-free.
Public profile
Paliwal’s work has been recognized locally and nationally. He received the Nirmal Gram Award in 2007 from then-President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. He has also been honored at events such as the New India Conclave. The transformation of Piplantri attracted filmmakers and documentarians: a bilingual film titled Piplantri was made telling the village’s story, and an Argentine film, Sisters of the Trees, was produced about his work. The village’s model has had educational reach beyond India; the Piplantri story has been included in school curricula in Rajasthan and in Denmark. Elements of his approach influenced a 2016 government policy that provides staged monetary incentives to families as girls reach school milestones and complete secondary education.
Paliwal remains hands-on in village management, making daily rounds on his motorcycle to inspect ongoing projects. At the village entrance a hoarding lists the names of girls born during the past year, a public affirmation of the community’s commitment to celebrating daughters.
Latest updates
In 2019 Paliwal appeared alongside television actress Sakshi Tanwar on an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) titled Karmaveer, which aired on 7 November 2019. Films and documentaries about Piplantri continue to circulate, keeping attention on the village’s model of combining environmental restoration with social change.
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Recent Work
Guest on the Karmaveer episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 11 with Sakshi Tanwar (7 November 2019).
2019Ongoing programme linking the birth of each girl child to the planting of 111 trees and the creation of a fixed deposit for the child; part of broader village reforestation and livelihood initiatives.
Career Highlights
- Founded Kiran Nidhi Yojna tying girl-child births to planting 111 trees
- Led large-scale afforestation in Piplantri—over 350,000 trees planted
- Launched water-conservation projects including about 1,800 check dams
- Recipient of the Nirmal Gram Award (2007)
- Subject of films and documentaries; story taught in schools in Rajasthan and Denmark
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shyam Sunder Paliwal born?
Shyam Sunder Paliwal was born on 9 July 1964.
What is Shyam Sunder Paliwal known for?
Shyam Sunder Paliwal is known for social-Activist.
What is Shyam Sunder Paliwal’s marital status?
Shyam Sunder Paliwal's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Shyam Sunder Paliwal married to?
Shyam Sunder Paliwal is publicly listed as married to Anita Paliwal.

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