With the increasing water shortage problems in Bengaluru, Ayappa Masagi is today’s "Water Gandhi" with solutions to almost every kind of water problem. He is on the mission to increase groundwater tables and construct lakes by collecting rainwater. His mission has got him a mention in the Limca book of records, 2012.

Pic Courtesy: Ayyappa Masagi

Ayappa Masagi, 55, heads the Rain Water Concepts Private Ltd and Water Literary Foundation. He specialises in coming up with solutions for the increasing need of water in rural, urban and industrial sectors.

These foundations run by Ayappa Masagi are involved in charging around 1000 borewells across 10 states and constructing 500 lakes. Around 300 borewells have been recharging in Bangalore. Rainwater is directly injected into the water table underground through perforation. Over 20 lakh people have been benefited through their rainwater harvesting plans.

Masagi says, "we have a strong technical team of 18 people and we are always ready to help those citizens who want help with their borewells or any other water related solution." He has also won the Jamnalal Bajaj award in 2009 for applying science in rural development.

While Ayappa Masagi has contributed in recharging the borewells and constructing lakes, there had been development in terms of solar energy to the poor and the rural areas. Harish Hande, co-founder of SELCO Solar Light Private Ltd has set a mark by supplying electricity to the poor people and in rural areas in many parts of Karnataka.

Harish Hande is another Bengalurean who has been mentioned in the Limca Book of Records. He is the MD and co-founder of SELCO Solar Light Private Ltd. He is a Magsaysay winner who has been honoured for his passionate efforts to put to use, the solar power technology, for the poor and encourage them to become asset creators. SELCO, which started in 1993 supplies electricity to more than one lakh households in Karnataka and Gujarat.⊕