AQUAFLUENCE: Empowering Water Sustainability for a Better Tomorrow

Hon’ble Prof. (Dr.) Aniruddha Pandit said “I have been cognizant about the importance of water since a very early age as I saw my father who was the Head of the Department of Chemistry at National College Bandra conserving rainwater during the monsoon and storing it in drums for use in the labs. He was much ahead of his time and now as even we stare at an imminent crisis, there is no call to action. We at ICT have been harvesting water and keeping our borewells recharged and are sensitive in the use of water. Notably enough all are washing machines are on the sixth floor and the water post wash is used in all the toilets which achieves two things, one is saves water for flushing and two it cleans the toilets with detergents. The case in point I am trying to make is that we are very conscious of water and hence the launch of AQUAFLUENCE is a concrete step in that direction. The objective here is to create a cadre of water sustainability professionals and innovate solutions to versatile water challenges faced by the country. I have given a blanket card to Dr. Subramanya to use the suite of technologies already available at ICT related to water quality, use, recycle, reuse, and harvest and will be made available at zero or no cost, reiterating our commitment to water sustainability.”

AQUAFLUENCE was launched by Hon’ble Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji, Minister for Jal Shakti, Government of India in the presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji.

Speaking at the launch, Hon’ble Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji said “I am very pleased to address you at the launch of AQUAFLUENCE – A Centre for Influence for Water Sustainability. AQUAFLUENCE, a joint R&D initiative of the prestigious Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) & AquaKraft is a very well-thought-out initiative that leverages the academic & research excellence of ICT and AquaKraft’s decade-long experience of innovating & implementing sustainable drinking water and sanitation solutions across India.

The objective of promoting research for the development of cost-effective water purification technologies aligns with the stated goals of the National Water Mission. I am very happy to note the innovation of AAPA – Water+ve, energy-efficient home filtration that disinfects the water while maintaining natural minerals in the water. I wish to congratulate Prof Aniruddha Pandit – Vice Chancellor of ICT & Dr Subramanya Kusnur, Founder of AquaKraft for such a novel concept.”

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, while lauding and blessing AQUAFLUENCE spoke about the importance of water and the initiatives taken by the Art of Living. While addressing the audience & Team AquaKraft Gurudev said, “I am so glad that you have taken up this mission with the association of our Hon’ble Minister Shekhawat Ji. The Art of Living volunteers are with the AquaKraft team in this awareness campaign to take it forward.”

He shared his experience of rejuvenating water bodies since 2007 with the objective that villages should have clean water & hygiene and to date, the Art of Living is rejuvenating over 70 rivers which hitherto just lay on record and not reality. He also stressed the need for individual sensitivity & sensibility without which caring for the planet is not possible. He also called civil society for active participation as the Government alone cannot do everything. He concluded by commending AquaKraft for the AquaKredits – Water credits as a very good initiative that has been jointly undertaken.

The launch also saw a panel discussion on the emerging trends in Water Sustainability attended by eminent panellists like renowned CA Shailesh Haribhakti of Shailesh Haribhakti & Associates, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee – Father of CSR in India, Anirban Ghosh – Head Centre of Sustainability Mahindra University, L Sridhar – Head Sustainability Bangalore International Airport Limited & Dr. Mritunjay Chaubey Global Vice President & Head Sustainability & Environment UPL Ltd.

The enthralling discussion which delved into Water missing the climate narrative espoused phenomenal responses commensurate to experience and the stature of the panelists concluding to bring about a white paper on the same. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Subramanya Kusnur, Founder Chairman & CEO, AquaKraft Group Ventures.

In addition to AAPA- Water+ve, energy-efficient home filtration, 2 more programs were unveiled under sustainable living with one being WASHMAN – an innovation that washes cars with only one litre of water and the other being a partnership with Refillable to treat and dispense clean water on the move through their 3 wheelers.

Further commenting, Jal Shakti Minister said “It is very heartening to see Art of Living’s impactful Jal Tara and Bangalore International Airport Limited’s water sustainability program have voluntarily onboarded themselves on AquaKraft’s AqVerium which shows commitment across grass root water conservation and corporate water stewardship. The Water Sustainability Score is an innovative way of branding sustainability and will build healthy competition amongst corporates in water stewardship.”

AquaKredits – Water Credits were presented to Art of Living’s Jal Tara program & Bangalore International Airport Limited’s water sustainability program by AquaKraft’s AqVerium – World’s 1^st Digital Water Bank.

While lauding AquaKraft’s innovations & interventions the Hon’ble Minister invited AquaKraft Group Ventures to be a part of a Task Force set up for Water Use & Efficiency and contribute such case studies and SOPs.

Dr. Subramanya Kusnur, Founder Chairman & CEO, AquaKraft Group Ventures emphasized the need for a whole new cadre of Water Sustainability influencers who will be trained in AQUAFLUENCE and spread the culture of Water sustainability across the strata of society. He also mentioned that the Centre will innovate solutions enabling sustainable living.