Q: Can you share your journey in the sector and what sparked your interest in improving sanitation?

A: My journey really began during my PhD in microbiology, which I completed in 2022, though the spark started even earlier. During my undergraduate years, I experienced a severe urinary tract infection (UTI) which resulted in me missing two months of my classes and led to a significant weight loss of 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Because of antibiotic resistance, the treatment lasted six months, and this painful experience stayed with me.  

While recovering, I learned that 115 million people globally suffer from UTIs annually, largely due to unclean, unhygienic toilets. Many women avoid public restrooms due to fear of UTIs, but holding in urine for extended periods can increase the risk, creating a harmful cycle. That personal challenge became my motivation—I wanted to make public toilets safer and more accessible for everyone, especially women.

Q: What continues to inspire you to keep doing this work?

A: It’s the impact of our work and the opportunity to inspire others. Recently, I was nominated as the CEO of WISE, an organization supporting thousands of female entrepreneurs. If I can encourage even a fraction of these 70,000 women, providing the same support I received from the Toilet Board Coalition, it makes all the work worthwhile. The goal is to create a ripple effect, where my story and journey inspire others to take action, innovate and continue improving sanitation and hygiene worldwide.

Q: What is one thing you want to remind people of or draw awareness to on World Toilet Day?

A: On World Toilet Day, I want to remind people that safe, accessible sanitation is a basic human right. Toilets don’t just impact our health; they affect dignity, equality, and opportunity, especially for women and children. By prioritizing sanitation and responsible hygiene practices, we’re building stronger, healthier communities.

Q: You are deeply involved in improving safely managed sanitation with the innovation of your bacteriostatic spray. Could you share a bit about your innovation and how it impacts communities?

A: In college, I started a project involving nanotechnology, creating nanocomposites with antibacterial, water-repellent, and stain-resistant properties. After years of research, we launched Hapito in 2018. This spray coats toilet surfaces with nanoparticles that prevent microbial growth, creating a longer-lasting hygiene solution. Silvery Nanos came into play because silver has the property of not allowing microorganisms to grow, so the goal is to paint toilets with silver-like properties. The spray lasts for about a month with each application, helping to keep surfaces cleaner, healthier and safer.

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of our work, especially for public hygiene. During this time, we supplied our products to the Indian Army, and it was an honor to support my country. I’m excited to continue expanding this journey and making a global impact in sanitation and hygiene.

Q: What has been key in your growth trajectory so far?

A: The Toilet Board Coalition Accelerator has been a game-changer for us. As a scientist, my background didn’t include branding or marketing, so learning these essential business skills has been invaluable. This support helped us to grow our brand to one even more people recognize now. It’s been an incredible learning experience and a boom for our growth.

Q: What tips do you have for other entrepreneurs in the sector?

A: There’s so much untapped potential to improve the world. I believe in the power of nanotechnology for toilet hygiene, but there are countless other areas that need innovation. For instance, desalination technologies to convert saline water into drinking water, or the circular economy, which focuses on transforming waste into usable products. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs and scientists is simple: pursue your ideas boldly. Your work could have a transformative impact on the world.

Q: We have heard that you’ll be speaking to the Toilet Board Coalition’s “Toilets, A Place for Peace: Collaborative Business Solutions Impacting Communities.” Can you tell us more about what you will be discussing?

A: I’ll join industry leaders from Kimberly-Clark, Nabsamruddhi Finance, and Water For People India, where we’ll share stories of collaboration in the sector and its importance in driving meaningful change. I’ll share insights from my journey with Silvery Nanos, the impact it’s had on communities, and why collaborative efforts are essential for sustainable progress. We’d love for everyone to join our conversation on November 19—you can register here.

Q: How does Silvery Nanos’ work impact communities and drive toward peace?

A: Currently, we’re collaborating with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, on a project to introduce Hapito to public toilets in up to 500 cities across the country. This initiative aims to improve hygiene for millions while conserving up to 55% of water typically used in toilet cleaning. The impact reaches beyond just cleanliness—it’s about providing peace of mind for users and ensuring everyone has access to safe, hygienic sanitation facilities, promoting both health and dignity in communities.