From Local Challenges to Global Solutions: My Journey to RWTH´s M.Sc. Sustainability Management | Piyush Bhandarkar

The crackle of dry leaves underfoot, the empty wells, and the endless walk to fetch water - this was my childhood. Growing up in a rainfed village in rural India, water scarcity was more than an environmental issue; it was a daily struggle that defined our entire community's existence. Little did I know then that these early experiences would forge my path to becoming a sustainability innovator.

From Challenge to Mission: Solve Water Issue

Water wasn't just a resource in my village - it was life itself. I witnessed farmers struggling with unpredictable rainfall, crops withering, and entire communities living on the razor's edge of survival. At a young age, I took my first step towards change by rallying local government support to build water storage tanks. But I quickly realized that temporary solutions weren't enough.

My journey of transformation accelerated during my Bachelor's in Production Engineering. An internship developing algae-based technologies became a turning point, earning me recognition among India's 29 Water Sheroes and securing $20,000 in funding. The Digital Impact Square fellowship further crystallized my vision, exposing me to the power of technology in addressing rural water challenges.

Scaling Innovation: The Ekatvam Innovations Story

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I co-founded Ekatvam Innovations - a water-tech startup that would become my proving ground for sustainable solutions. Our mission was audacious: to make water management in rural and semi-urban areas more data-driven and sustainable. However, the challenges that we faced were immense:

• Efforts to manage groundwater sustainably is hampered due to lack of proper information and scientific knowledge about water availability and consumption in villages.
• Villages in India today grapple with water scarcity due to the over exploitation of groundwater resources as well as increasingly erratic rainfall patterns driven by climate change.

Nevertheless, our achievements told a powerful story:

• We were able to save 13.2 million liters of water
• We supported over 5,000 farmers across 250 villages
• We developed the MIDAS App for real-time water management advice
• We secured $146,000 in grant funding
• We partnered with organizations like Tata Trusts, WaterAid, and Coca-Cola Foundation

The Pivotal Decision: Why RWTH Business School?

However, to take my knowledge to the next level and create more impact, I needed more than just entrepreneurial experience - I needed world-class sustainability and management training. The M.Sc. in Sustainability Management at RWTH Business School emerged as the perfect catalyst for my next leap as the curriculum spoke directly to the challenges I'd encountered:

• Sustainability Analytics: Perfect for analyzing water usage data from 250 villages, helping me develop more sophisticated data-driven strategies
• Life Cycle Assessment: Essential for anticipating and mitigating risks in rural communities, building on my startup's predictive models
• Sustainable Operations & Logistics: Aligned precisely with my vision to develop scalable water conservation strategies

Furthermore, the program's unique approach with combining case studies, collaborative projects, and hands-on labs promised to transform my practical experience into world-class expertise to achieve my personal goals.

My Vision: Scaling Global Impact

My vision goes far beyond the scope of Ekatvam Innovations. I am driven by a deep desire to develop scalable and sustainable water conservation models that can be implemented globally, ensuring access to clean water for communities everywhere. Also, I would love to influence sustainability policies that tackle critical resource challenges, promoting long-term solutions to climate change and environmental degradation. Lastly, I am aiming to create innovative technological solutions that empower rural communities, helping them build resilience, improve livelihoods, and adapt to evolving environmental conditions. I am sure that this program will equip me with the tools to solve today's toughest environmental challenges, no matter where they start. For me, it's not just about personal growth - it's about creating systemic change.

Join the Movement: Your Launchpad for Global Impact

Whether you're an aspiring social entrepreneur or a professional looking to pivot into sustainability, this program is your gateway to making a difference. The RWTH Business School's M.Sc. in Sustainability Management isn't just a degree - it's a toolkit for transforming global challenges into innovative solutions. If you are ready to turn your passion into meaningful action, then learn more about the program and join the next cohort of sustainability leaders - https://www.business-school.rwth-aachen.de/en/master/sustainability-management/

From a small village in India to global sustainability leadership - this is more than a journey. This is how we create change, one innovative solution at a time.

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