Several villages in Maharashtra, including Dongargaon in Mulshi, were grappling with a silent but severe health crisis—fluorosis. Caused by excessive fluoride levels in drinking water, the disease led to painful conditions like arthritis, skeletal fluorosis, and dental problems, affecting both children and adults.
Enter Abhijeet Gan, a BITS Pilani engineering graduate and water treatment specialist from Nagpur. Assigned to find a remedy for Dongargaon’s fluorosis problem, Gan traveled over 100 kilometers to the village, spending days with residents to understand the severity and nuances of the issue firsthand.
“The children’s brown teeth and the weakened bones of the elders left a lasting impression on me,” recalls Gan. Determined to make a difference, he immersed himself in research, studying numerous scientific papers and experimenting tirelessly to find an effective solution.
After months of hard work, Gan developed a breakthrough water purification technology that uses electrolysis to selectively remove fluoride from contaminated water. His prototype proved capable of delivering safer, healthier water to communities afflicted by fluorosis.
Today, this innovative technology is being deployed in affected regions, offering hope and health restoration to thousands. Abhijeet Gan’s journey from concerned engineer to innovator underscores the power of science combined with compassion to tackle rural India’s pressing challenges.
