Enactus is an international non-profit student-led organisation present in over 1,700 universities spread across 39 countries. It takes up community outreach projects to transform the lives of people in need, using the power of entrepreneurial action. Enactus Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has undertaken 14 projects to date, of which 12 have been successfully completed and two of them are ongoing.
Over 163 million people struggle to get clean drinking water every day. Realising this need, Enactus SRCC launched Project Asbah, meaning purity. The project strives to develop rural/urban slums and villages of India by providing clean drinking water at highly affordable rates by setting up community filtration plants.
For each plant that is set up, employment of two women entrepreneurs from the community is generated. Started in 2018, they have successfully set up such plants in nine different areas across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, impacting over 26,000 lives every single day.
Under the project, they provide clean drinking water at Rs. 4/- per 20 litres to urban/rural slum dwellers and villagers. Water is dispensed through water ATM structures with the help of rechargeable digital cards.
Each plant employs two women as operators of the Community Filtration Plants for increased accessibility, empowering them with entrepreneurial roles. These women entrepreneurs independently look after the plant’s operations, financial management, sustainability, maintenance and handle crowds when they come to take drinking water. They also create awareness by conducting IEC activities themselves.
Project Asbah has been lauded by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi and former President Sh. Pranab Mukherjee. Recently, Minister of Jal Shakti Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appreciated Project Asbah and the efforts undertaken by members of Enactus SRCC, and issued a Letter of Appreciation for its work in the water sector.
It is also worth a mention that Project Asbah represented India at the World Water Race 2019 Impact Competition in Silicon Valley, California, USA. It was adjudged as the winner out of 120+ teams from all across the globe. With this, Project Asbah is now the ‘Best Water Project’ in the world.
The acute water shortage and ongoing water crisis particularly hit the poor population since wealthy people have the required resources to avail water from private sources. Those living in the slums have no choice but to rely on unsafe water, exposing themselves to extreme vulnerability.
Until the outbreak, mass gatherings and clusters of folks with cans, rushing to fill in the gushing water, was a usual sight at Asbah Plants. However, these plants have been able to continue their operation efficiently, even during the pandemic, without failing to follow the guidelines issued by the Central Government. Despite the difficulties faced, they prepared a proper strategy to run the community water filtration plants.
This efficient operation is the result of the efforts of those women operators who continue to work in order to provide the basic necessities to the slum dwellers. They are the real heroes who are not just selflessly working for the community, but also redefining the spirit of social entrepreneurship.
In order to maintain cleanliness, Asbah ensures sanitising consumers who come to the plants. Hand sanitisers have been provided at each plant. The customer count at any given point of time is restricted, and social distancing is ensured by following a proper marking on the ground to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
The operators wear gloves while handling the cards of customers. Masks are worn and distributed by women entrepreneurs. At the same time, it is ensured that proper awareness is spread regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, thereby stopping the spread of rumours.