New Delhi [India], December 18: In today’s age of innovation and progress—where we explore space, advance artificial intelligence, and push the boundaries of human potential—it is deeply troubling that millions still lack access to something as basic as clean drinking water. For countless families across rural villages and urban slums, the struggle to secure safe water is a daily reality. Women and children spend hours walking to collect water, often from contaminated sources, sacrificing their education, health, and opportunities to work.
The consequences of this crisis are devastating. Contaminated water continues to spread diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, with children suffering the most. Waterborne illnesses stunt their physical and cognitive development, robbing them of a better future. Women, who bear the brunt of water collection, lose valuable time that could be spent learning new skills, earning an income, or caring for their families. This daily cycle of hardship keeps communities locked in poverty, unable to break free. The Government of India has rightly recognised this problem and is working at targeted pace to solve for the problem in the last 05 years.
At Naandi Water since inception we believed clean water has the power to change lives. As a new-generation social enterprise, our mission is to save lives by delivering safe and sustainable drinking water solutions to underserved communities. Born as a pilot project under Naandi Foundation, we have operated independently for the last 13 years, building innovative solutions that empower villages to thrive.
Our work is anchored in long-term sustainability. Through our Village Water Centre Initiative, we bring clean drinking water to areas where contamination levels are dangerously high. These centers provide safe, affordable water at a minimal fee of ₹4-7 for 20 liters. To ensure long-lasting impact, we operate and maintain the centers for 7-10 years before handing them over to the local Gram Panchayats. This creates a self-sustaining model where the community takes ownership of the solution. So far, we have handed over more than 330 centers, making clean water a reliable and enduring resource for thousands of families.
We also run the School Water Program, ensuring that children have access to clean drinking water while they learn. Safe water in schools means fewer illnesses, better attendance, and healthier children who can focus on their education instead of battling waterborne diseases.
The impact of our work is real and measurable. We have brought clean water to 696 villages across seven states, improving health, reducing the time spent collecting water, and giving people a chance to live with dignity. By fostering mindful water usage and efficient operations, we are creating a model that values both sustainability and community empowerment. Recognized and mentored by many national and international institutions, our approach has even been featured in the national Jal Jeevan Mission compendium for its best practices.
However, this is just the beginning. Over the next three years, we aim to expand our reach to 300 more villages, working toward our vision of transforming 1,000 villages and improving lives through clean water. But the scale of this challenge is immense, and it cannot be tackled alone.
We need collective action—partnerships between governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals who believe that access to clean water is a fundamental right. The role of businesses is especially crucial. By integrating water access into their Corporate Social Responsibility agendas, companies can play a pivotal role in solving this crisis. Investing in clean water is not just an act of philanthropy; it is an investment in human potential, economic development, and a sustainable future.
At Naandi Water, our work is guided by values of care, transparency, innovation, and sustainability. We believe that with the right partnerships and commitment, every village can have access to safe water. And when that happens, families will be healthier, children will go to school, and women will be empowered to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
If you share our belief that clean water can transform lives, we invite you to join us. You can fund a project, volunteer, intern, or explore opportunities to work with us. Every contribution takes us closer to a world where no one has to struggle for something as essential as safe water.
Clean water is not just about survival; it is about dignity, opportunity, and the chance to build thriving communities. Together, we can create lasting change—one village, one family, one drop at a time.
