Event Name: Industrial Visit: Maithri Aquatech

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the industrial visit to Maithri Aquatech was to gain insights into their innovative water technology solutions, particularly their flagship product MEGHDOOT, which harvests water from the air. The visit aimed to understand the technology behind MEGHDOOT, its application, and its contribution to meeting the world's potable water needs.

OUTCOME:

The visit provided a comprehensive understanding of Maithri Aquatech's innovative approach to addressing water scarcity issues through MEGHDOOT.

Key outcomes include:

• Technology Understanding: Participants gained insights into the technology behind MEGHDOOT, which utilizes atmospheric moisture harvesting to produce potable water. The process involves capturing moisture from the air, condensing it, and purifying it to meet drinking water standards
• Application Insights: The visit highlighted various applications of MEGHDOOT, including its use in areas facing water scarcity, remote locations without access to traditional water sources, and disaster relief scenarios where immediate access to clean water is crucial
• Environmental Impact: Participants learned about the environmental benefits of MEGHDOOT, such as reducing dependence on groundwater and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with traditional water extraction methods.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Maithri Aquatech's commitment to innovation and sustainability was evident through MEGHDOOT, which offers a renewable and eco-friendly solution to address the global water crisis.

BRIEF REPORT:

The Entrepreneurship Development Cell of Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies organized an Industrial visit for the students of BBA Batch 2022-25 to provide firsthand exposure to real-world business operations, management practices, and industry-specific processes. Students visited to the manufacturing plant of Maithri Aquatech, founded with the mission to ease dependence on scarce water resources and provide water on a sustainable basis wherever required. The company has developed an innovative technology to harvest the water vapors in the atmosphere to produce potable drinkable water on a sustainable basis. Its innovative solution called MEGHDOOT (which in Sanskrit means 'Messenger of the Sky's') produces 100% microbe-free potable water by using the water vapors present in the air. Maithri Aquatech¡Çs solution is decentralized, highly scalable and environmentally friendly and the water generated meets the guidelines of both WHO as well as Indian standards for potable water. Maithri Aquatech has partnered with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) which operates under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The company has major clients in the Private and Public sectors, including defence and has gained recognition even from the Ministry of Water (Jal shakti) in India. The valuable learnings of the visit were-

WATER IS NOT INFINITE

Our planet, 'the Blue Planet' is 71% water, of which 97.5% is salt water and the remaining 2.5% is fresh water. These figures, unfortunately, do not represent the availability of water to humanity. Only 1% of all available freshwater sources are accessible, which are exploited. We assume water to be a renewable resource, which is not the case!

IT IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM

A warmer climate is causing more water to evaporate from water bodies, with 7% more water for every 1degree rise in temperature.

MEGHDOOT: Answer to global water problems.

We all know that there is water in the air, but what is not commonly known is the sheer volume of water present in it. Built on the Atmospheric Water Generation concept, the product can generate clean, potable water from the air. No groundwater is needed, and no surface water is required. Atmospheric Water Generators are the solution to the global water crisis

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL FOR A BETTER PLANET.

NO CARBON EMISSIONS:The solutions do not rely on delicate natural resources and produce no exhaust gasses. When powered by Renewable Energy, there are zero emissions both directly and indirectly.

100% WATER POSITIVE:Zero reliance on available water resources and zero wastage of water. It assures consistent high-quality water and helping groundwater sources to recharge.

PERSONAL SOURCE OF WATER:MEGHDOOT is a dependable and decentralized source of water, as it is both a water generation and purification solution in one. External dependence on water is now a thing of the past. Maithri Aquatech provides re-mineralised water with customised solutions for Schools, Homes, Hospitals, Public Kiosks etc.

WATER SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYONE:They provide multiple solutions to meet various demands, be it for individuals, communities, organisations, or wildlife ranging from drinking water, water for laboratories, water for agriculture etc.

Figure 1: Students understanding about the inputs used for production of MEGHDOOT.

Figure 2:Group photo of SCMS-H Students, EDC Faculty in charge, the management and staff of Maithri Aquatech

In essence, the entrepreneurship talk featuring Abhishek Maharaju was more than just a seminar; it was a transformative experience that inspired, empowered, and ignited a passion for entrepreneurship among SCMS students. As they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, armed with newfound knowledge and inspiration, they carry forward the legacy of innovation and creativity, poised to make meaningful contributions to society and the entrepreneurial landscape at large.