Arvind Mahankali

Innovative Indian engineer who developed affordable water purification systems for rural communities

Arvind Mahankali is a visionary Indian engineer whose work has revolutionized access to clean water in underserved regions. Born in 1985 in Hyderabad, Mahankali's early exposure to water scarcity during childhood droughts inspired his life's mission. While studying electrical engineering at IIT Kharagpur, he began developing low-cost water purification systems that require no electricity. His flagship invention, the MahaPure system, uses gravity-fed filtration and locally sourced materials to deliver clean water at 50% lower cost than traditional methods. Through his nonprofit MahaLabs, he has deployed over 500 systems across 15 Indian states, providing clean water to 250,000+ people annually. His work has been featured in Forbes India and the UN Water Report, and earned him the 2020 Global Clean Water Award. Mahankali's approach emphasizes community ownership - each system is maintained by local technicians trained through his vocational programs. His innovations have inspired similar projects in Bangladesh and Nepal, creating a blueprint for sustainable development in rural areas.