With a Saree & Solar Power, He’s Bringing Safe Drinking Water To 400+ Children In Rural Schools

Imagine walking into a rural school, where young children sip from a community water tank, unaware of the microscopic dangers lurking within. For years, the water they consumed unknowingly became a conduit for diseases like diarrhoea and typhoid — ailments that not only ravaged their health but also hampered their cognitive development. It’s a stark reminder of the gut-brain connection that influences lifelong mental health.

Such was the plight of school-going children in Phaltan, Maharashtra, who grew up with the constant presence of waterborne diseases as their unwelcome companions.

These illnesses loomed over their childhoods, shaping their days with bouts of sickness and recovery that repeatedly interrupted their education and stunted their physical and mental growth.

“When you start thinking deeply about any issue, like poor water quality, you realise just how interconnected it is with health, education, and future possibilities,” says Dr Anil Rajvanshi, Director at the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) — a Maharashtra-based non-profit research and development institute focused on rural development.

Disturbed by the deplorable conditions in rural schools, Dr Rajvanshi was moved to act. His heart stirred with a deep empathy for the children, and he yearned to quench not just their thirst for water but their thirst for a healthier future.

Driven by the belief that clean water is every child’s right, he pioneered a solar-powered clean drinking water technology that purifies rainwater for human consumption.

Collecting drops of happiness using a saree

In the serene yet challenging landscape of Phaltan, Dr Rajvanshi and his team envisioned a synergy between nature and science — a Clean Drinking Water Technology (CDWT) that would become a sanctuary for these children.

“This groundbreaking system captures rainwater, filters it through layers of fabric inspired by traditional saree cloth, and purifies it using solar thermal technology,” explains Dr Rajvanshi.

Designed to function without electricity, the system effectively eliminates coliform bacteria (germs found in animal and human waste), even on cloudy days, maintaining water temperatures above 45°C. Tests have shown a microbial E. coli count of less than 20 MPN — well below the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. (E. coli is a harmful type of coliform that can cause diarrhoea and stomach pain).

“This system provides 100 to 200 litres of safe drinking water daily to more than 400 children in schools located in the villages of Nandal and Adarki,” Dr Rajvanshi shares.

The installation of these systems in government-aided schools has done more than just quench thirst — it has ignited a spark of hope. As children gulp down safe, refreshing water, their smiles reflect the promise of a healthier future.

Arvind Nikam, the administrative officer of the Phaltan Education Society, which manages the operation of both schools, explains, “Previously, we relied on stored water from the gram panchayat, which wasn’t always pure and was only available every two to three days, especially scarce during summer. Rainwater that once flowed unused is now harvested. This provides our children with ample, clean drinking water daily. The water is regularly sent to labs for testing. We now receive many visitors keen to see this unique setup in our schools.”

Dr Anil mentions that the project was completed with the help of several team members, including engineer Manoj Kumar, technician Santosh Adsul, and microbiologist Aditi Nalawade. “They were all involved in testing the water, installing the system in the school, and general troubleshooting,” he adds.

When water healed more than thirst

For the first time, rural children watched with shining eyes as crystal-clear water filled their cups. Dr Rajvanshi says the children learned not only learned to value clean water but also understood the science behind its purity.

While addressing the urgent need for safe drinking water, the initiative also empowered the schools to harness solar energy — fostering a growing interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among curious young minds.

Teachers, now equipped with instructional modules prepared in their native Marathi, guided students through the concepts of rainwater harvesting and solar energy. 

Classrooms that once echoed with static lessons were transformed into vibrant hubs of exploration, sparking curiosity and nurturing a budding love for science and technology.

The journey, however, was not without its challenges. Installation of the system required funding and faith — both of which came through donations. A significant portion of the system’s cost, nearly 60 percent, goes towards rainwater storage tanks. Dr Rajvanshi notes that the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission could potentially subsidise this expense. “Over a 10-year lifespan, the cost per litre is about Rs 2.3, but with government support, we can bring it down to Rs 1.3,” he explains.

As children sip clean water and find respite from illness, a quiet transformation is underway, rippling through the community. “Parents, seeing the changes in their children’s health and vitality, began to believe in a future where education would no longer be interrupted by disease,” says Dr Rajvanshi.

Though only two schools have been transformed in the past five months, the impact is undeniable. The voices of the children — stronger, healthier, and more confident — echo Dr Rajvanshi’s dream like a clarion call for others to follow.

Reflecting on the impact, he says, “Our children are the future. They are the true wealth of our nation. By giving them clean water, we’re not just improving their health; we’re investing in a generation that will build a stronger, smarter India.”

Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Dr Anil Rajvanshi

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