StartUps

Water Warriors

The harsh summer of 2024 is a stark reminder that there is an urgent need to conserve the elixir of life: water. So, what is causing the water crisis, and how does one mitigate its impact? Climate change, high contamination of water, over-exploitation of groundwater, deforestation, reduced rainfall, and increased agricultural demand are some of the main reasons for water shortage. However, while the water situation seems stark, there is a silver lining on the cloud as many water-saving ventures seek to make a difference. Bindu Gopal Rao highlights several of these impactful initiatives.

Water Warriors

Bala Vikasa, Telangana

Bala Vikasa is an NGO pioneering community-driven sustainable development activities in seven states, impacting about eight million people. A significant initiative they have is to provide access to safe drinking water at an affordable price of Rs 3-5 per 20 litres to rural communities suffering from high fluoride content in the available groundwater. Most small and marginal farmers rely heavily on natural freshwater resources for irrigation. However, groundwater depletion and low rainfall in urban and suburban areas have led to severe water scarcity, pushing farmers into a vicious cycle of debt due to reduced crop quality and yield. “In response to the struggles of farmers in rural Telangana, Bala Vikasa, founded by André Gingras (90) and Bala T. Singareddy (83), launched a pioneering farm pond construction program in 2015. This initiative, supported by CSR partners, aims to help farmers conserve rainwater, meet their irrigation needs, and replenish groundwater,” says Shoury Reddy Singareddy, Executive Director, Bala Vikasa.

The program began in Ontimamidipally village, Warangal District, in 2015. In 2019, Bala Vikasa extended support to farmers in the suburbs of Hyderabad, following requests from the farmers of Upplingapur village, Medchal. This expansion underscores the program’s success and vital role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving farmers’ livelihoods. Tirupati P, Program Manager, Water Conservation, Bala Vikasa, adds, “Farm ponds capture and store rainwater, reducing runoff and evaporation losses. Farm ponds lessen groundwater dependence and prevent depletion by providing a reliable water source for irrigation during dry periods.

Additionally, they enhance soil moisture, support groundwater recharge, and promote sustainable farming practices. The stored water can be used for multiple purposes, including livestock and aquaculture, thereby increasing farm productivity and resilience against droughts.” With the support of various CSR partners, Bala Vikasa facilitated the construction of 1275 farm ponds in the suburbs of Hyderabad, creating a water potential of 58.5225 million litres.

Volksara Techno Solution Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

Nine years ago, when 23-year-old Saily Lad was walking around London with her father, a casual discussion about CCTV cameras installed at various locations came up. The conversation then pivoted to her research topic, ‘A project for smart cities in small countries.’ This ignited the idea of having a tech-led business in India, which is how Volksara came into existence in 2017. Volksara provides software solutions for monitoring and analysing a city’s water supply system.

They have worked with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to source 500 Megalitres per day (MLD) drinking water from the Pawana dam to Pune. Of this, 310 MLD sewerage is treated across 16 plants. “Our software helps PCMC bifurcate the treated sewerage data into fertilizer, slurry, and reusable water. Based on the data received, the treated sewerage is reused for gardening, dairy farming (including 10 MLD used by the military to maintain their dairy farm), and cleaning roads. PCMC re-uses approximately 90 MLD of treated sewerage instead of fresh water daily, conserving the valuable resource. In addition, 0.375 tons of MLD slurry are separated from the sewerage and dumped in the Moshi Kachara depot. Once the slurry gets dried, the same gets reused by farmers,” says Saily Prasad Lad, founder.

Water for People, West Bengal

Water For People (WFP) has been making significant strides globally for over 30 years, starting with the American Water Works Association in the USA, and their work in India has spanned an impactful 15 years. Dr. Arun Deb, the pioneer of WFP’s initiatives in India, played a crucial role in bringing their mission to life here. “We are dedicated to improving water and sanitation through various impactful initiatives. We have developed some solutions for critical issues like arsenic contamination and expanded our focus to integrated water and sanitation activities. The household piped water supply schemes we co-created with local communities provide access to drinking water, reducing wastage through efficient distribution systems,” says Bishwadeep Ghose, Country Head.

The organization has been trying to promote water and sanitation as a service through its impact model called ‘Everyone Forever’ since 2012. A key initiative to make this happen is their partnership with local gram panchayats to establish ‘Jalabandhus’ or ‘Friends of Water.’ These hand pump mechanics, trained by WFP, ensure the proper maintenance and repair of community hand pumps, ensuring reliable access to safe water.

The success of this model led to its adoption and replication across the State by the West Bengal Government. “To fill the service gap, we identify and train local entrepreneurs who directly provide services through Points of Purchase to households needing water and sanitation services. This market-based approach helps promote micro-entrepreneurs’ livelihoods and provides lasting water and sanitation services. So far, we have impacted the lives of around 5 million across the various states we work in India,” adds Ghose.

Safe Water Network, Delhi

Safe Water Network (SWN) is a not-for-profit based in New York with offices in India and Ghana. It was started in India in 2009 to improve public health by providing safe drinking water access to the underserved.

They work on different aspects of water, such as water quality, adequate quantity, and water safety, by enabling local communities to own, operate, and manage their safe drinking water source and training communities in water budgeting and reasonable water use. Poonam Sewak, Trustee & V.P. – Programs and Partnerships, says, “We have installed more 340+ safe water stations which are providing safe water access to more than 1.4 million people in Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.

These stations provide safe and affordable water to underserved people with little or no access. These Small Water Enterprises (SWEs) are decentralized kiosks, locally owned and operated by women self-help groups and entrepreneurs. The program has generated 914 livelihoods, of which 29% are women.”

October 25, 2024

The Fresh Faces of India’s Clean Eating Revolution

Eat Right Clean eating is no longer a fad but a necessity in the times we live in, and several startups are making sure this is a choice that is easy to make. As people take charge of their health and well-being, eating clean is one of the most important priorities. BINDU GOPAL RAO features seven startups that are helping make this change, one plate at a time. Nutreat Hyderabad-based Nutreat was born in 2014 out of a personal need to provide clean, wholesome food for the founder’s son. Over time, this evolved into a deeper mission: to craft handmade, customised nutrition rooted in ancestral Indian food wisdom. “We handcraft each product using our signature four-step process sprouting, sun-drying, slow roasting, and stone grinding and tailor it to the individual’s age, health condition, and dietary needs. Nutreat promotes clean eating not just by avoiding processed ingredients, but by ensuring every spoonful is mindfully made and consciously consumed. In 2023, when our business was at its peak with franchise opportunities, foreign collaborations, and incubation offers we made a bold decision. We stepped back. We refused to bulk produce because it was creating false demand, pressuring both our team and consumers to buy more than they needed. That turning point reaffirmed our belief in nooverbuying and consciousconsumerism. Clean eating, we believe, must also be mindful free of waste, hype, or excess. While the wellness industry grows, we often see food wastage even in the name of healthy eating. Our model of customisation ensures that we make only what’s needed, drastically reducing waste while offering personalised nutrition,” says Jyothi Sri Pappu, Founder & CEO, Nutreat. Moving forward, their goal is to scale impact, not volume, by nurturing conscious consumers, supporting women artisans, and creating a food culture rooted in purpose. The Kenko Life

StartUps

House of Creativity: Sinha Brothers Redefine India’s Art Scene with a Legacy-Fuelled Vision

In a world where creativity often competes with commerce, LUV and KUSSH SINHA are merging both purpose and passion. Drawing from their rich cinematic heritage and a lifelong connection to the arts, the Sinha twins have launched The House of Creativity (HOC) a platform dedicated to showcasing and supporting contemporary Indian artists. Their goal is to democratize access to visual art, giving emerging talents a space to thrive while also expanding the reach of Indian artistry on a global stage. In conversation with SINDURI VUPPALA, the duo shares how their entrepreneurial journey is not just about art, but about creating a movement that celebrates originality, honours legacy, and nurtures the future of India’s creative community. 1. Can you take us back to when your relationship with visual art truly began? Luv: My relationship with visual art began at a very young age. I was deeply influenced by Hindi cinema the films my father acted in, those of Mr. Bachchan, and other legends. As I grew older, Japanese animation, video games, and comic books also left a huge impression on me. Each artist, every inker, has their own style those differences fascinated me. Film too, being a moving image, played a huge role. Pause it, and it becomes a photograph. That connection influenced me tremendously. 2. What led to the birth of the House of Creativity? Was there a defining moment or conversation? Luv: It started with conversations at home during the lockdown. I kept thinking about the number of immensely talented artists who just don’t have a platform. Art can be an exclusive world, but coming from the film industry, I felt we could help expand its reach. The idea of starting digital-first made sense due to restrictions, but our long-term vision is definitely to open physical galleries and make

StartUps

Why Piyush Goyal’s Note Strikes a Chord with Many

In a fast-paced economy where entrepreneurship is often glamorized and unicorn status is considered the ultimate goal, Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent cautionary note to start-ups has sparked conversation across boardrooms, social media feeds, and co-working spaces alike. At a time when headlines celebrate billion-dollar valuations and multi-million funding rounds, Goyal’s reminder to prioritize sustainability over vanity metrics comes as both a wake-up call and a much-needed dose of realism. What Did Piyush Goyal Say? While addressing a forum of young entrepreneurs and start-up founders, the Commerce and Industry Minister highlighted the growing trend of start-ups focusing more on valuation than value creation. He advised founders to stay grounded, reminding them that real impact lies in solving problems, building sustainable models, and creating employment — not just in raising capital or reaching the next funding milestone. Why It Resonates 1. The Valuation Bubble India has witnessed a boom in the start-up ecosystem over the last decade, becoming the third-largest start-up hub in the world. However, this rapid rise has also led to the emergence of overvalued unicorns, many of which struggle to generate profits or even break even. Goyal’s words hit home because several start-ups that once shone brightly have now either shut down or drastically downsized. 2. Funding Winter & Layoffs In the past year, a noticeable funding winter has taken a toll on many start-ups. With VC purse strings tightening, companies have been forced to lay off thousands of employees, scale back operations, and rethink their business models. Goyal’s comment serves as a timely reminder that blind growth can be dangerous without a stable foundation. 3. Founders Facing Burnout The hustle culture in start-up circles often glorifies 20-hour workdays and constant “grind” mentality. However, a growing number of founders are speaking out about mental health challenges, anxiety, and burnout. Goyal’s emphasis on sustainable growth also indirectly supports a healthier entrepreneurial mindset — one that doesn’t chase

StartUps

The Timeless Allure of Crystals: Do they help?

Crystals have captivated humanity for millennia, their ethereal beauty and purported mystical properties drawing people from all walks of life. These natural treasures, long admired for their beauty, are experiencing a global resurgence. Let’s explore the reasons behind this trend and dive deep into the world of crystals, examining their allure and purported properties through the eyes of Akshay Gund, a passionate crystal collector in India and founder of Kaivalya—House of Crystals. Mehak Walia, in conversation with Akshay Gund, the founder of Kaivalya – House of Crystals and the passionate crystal collector, about the essence and reason crystals are trending. Crystals Journey Discovering a New Path Akshay Gund hails from Pune, where his academic journey began with a fascination for animals, leading him to study zoology at Wadia College. This interest in the natural world evolved into a more profound curiosity about digital mapping, which he pursued at the Symbiosis Institute through a postgraduate degree in Geo-Informatics. However, his true calling emerged in a rather unexpected domain—crystals. “Initially, I started making videos on YouTube, educating people about crystals and minerals and showing them how to find these beauties in nature,” Akshay shares. The positive response and the feedback he received highlighted a disturbing trend in the Indian crystal market: exorbitant prices and counterfeit products. This realization sparked the creation of Kaivalya – House of Crystals in 2022, a venture aimed at providing genuine, affordable crystals while educating the public about their true nature. The Essence of Crystals As Akshay explains, crystals are semi-precious rocks formed over millions of years through crystallization. This natural phenomenon results in unique structures and formations, much like diamonds. Crystals’ allure lies in their beauty, which is why they are trending today. From holistic health and alternative medicine to spiritual practices and aesthetics, crystals have found