Small is truly beautiful for the Tatas. After launching the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, they are set to launch Swach, a Rs 749 water purifier that blends environment-friendly material such as paddy husk ash with germ-fighting nanotechnology to offer affordable potable water.
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translating group chairman Ratan Tata’s vision of safe drinking water for all, engineers and scientists at five group companies — including Tata Consultancy Services, Titan Industries and Tata Chemicals — have come together in a venture that could help millions avoid water-borne diseases.
Tata Chemicals will make and market the product that has 14 patents running on it.
“Our main challenge was to give affordable clear water. It was a huge social and economic issue we were tackling,” said R. Mukundan, managing director of Tata Chemicals.
Swach, which has been tested in 600 homes, costs Rs 749 and another Rs 299 for the cartridge that provides cleaning material. This translates into Rs 30 a month for a family of five.
Inputs from Rachit Vats