[darklord]

The Tata group has done yet another Nano — this time in the water purifier segment. Group company Tata Chemicals today launched a compact water purifier, called ‘Swach’, which means clean in Hindi. Two variants of the purifier, priced at Rs 749 and Rs 999, will be available by the end of this month. Four other models would also be launched in the next six to 12 months. “This opens up a completely new market,” Tata Chemicals MD R Mukundan said here today, after Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata launched the product. He added the intention is to sell a million units over the next 12 months. The total water purification market, including industrial, municipal and households, is pegged at around Rs 10,000 crore. However, the share of household water purifiers in this is minimal. The cheapest water purifier in the market at present is HUL’s Pureit and Eureka Forbes’ Aquasure, which cost Rs 2,000 each.

Business Standard

Much respect to them. Especially in light of this:

Some 1.2 billion people do not have access to safe water, according to a 2006 United Nations report. Almost 80 per cent of diseases in developing countries are associated with water, causing some three million early deaths, according to a 2009 Unesco report. In India, 380,000 children die each year from diarrhoea, according to Unicef.

Scotsman

One hopes that the government makes it tax free or reduces taxes so that it can be made cheaper.

[BenjiRoss]

I wonder what technology it uses. Will it be the same as pureit etc or something even lesser?

Edit:
Just saw this on the website.

The filter uses paddy husk ash as a matrix, bound with microscopic particles of silver to kill the bacteria that cause 80 per cent of waterborne diseases, executives said. Paddy husk ash has long been known for its cleansing properties, and India produces about 20 million tonnes of it a year.

[GTO]

Respect to Mr. Tata man! This is the statement that was made at the time of Swach's release:

Safe water "is a right public policy has sought to fulfill, not very successfully so far. We'd like to make a small contribution to offering that,"

Business with a social responsibility, not too many corps can live up to that. No electricity required and only a 1,000 bucks MRP!

[.anshuman]

A very good initiative by Tata to make the water purifiers affordable, With the kind of polluted water most people drink this effort is worth a big applause. Its not only good commercially but also a socially responsible step. A big salute to Mr.Ratan Tata and his team.

[Raccoon]

^^^ Pollution? I don't think the filter will do much about pollution? Seems to be about killing germs... and how effective it is at that isn't even mentioned.

[darklord]

Originally Posted by Raccoon

... and how effective it is at that isn't even mentioned.

I guess this sentence from another report pretty much clears that up.

the clear liquid that emerges meets the latest American regulations on water purification standards.

Times Online

[discoverwild]

No wonder, I am a Ratan Tata fan!

I only hope his successor carries on his ideals and social responsibility. For all that he is, Ratan Tata is a very humble man. I think there is hardly anyone to match him and Narayana Murthy in India today.

[.anshuman]

For those who missed the article, it was published in today Mail Today, try searching for it if its available online.

[jp2u]

no one else can do it other than our very own Mr Tata. God hope he finds a good replacement

[salilpawar1]

Will it be something like this?

YouTube - Michael Pritchard makes filthy water drinkable

[racingmachine]

Originally Posted by salilpawar1

Will it be something like this?

Saw this on youtube. 750 bucks for one year. And runs without using electricity. Amazing. Hats off.

YouTube - Tata group launches low-cost water purifier