Ashish Khatri is a scientist working as a manager in Aravali Hospital in Udaipur.

Born and brought up in Udaipur, Ashish did his Masters in Biotechnology and also did a course in Project Management. Showing his colors right from his student days, he won a Presidential Award in 2006 and a Prime Minister’s Award in 2010.

Ashish believes that in this 21st century, global warming, use of plastic and environmental pollution is one of the biggest threats to mankind.

In his opinion reducing wastage can do much for environment protection. In such a scenario his attention was drawn towards the rampant wastage of banana-tree stumps. Because, every year after banana fruit is obtained from the banana tree, the remaining part of the tree, the stump, which is actually a root, has to be thrown away. As banana fruit is nowadays grown and consumed all year long, such wastage of banana roots is huge. Therefore, he undertook upon himself the task of reducing this wastage. After extensive research, and several setbacks, he and his foundation is now producing cloth, paper pulp and many handicraft items using this banana root wastage. They are even working on developing an anti-poison medicine using this same waste material.

It all began in 2003 when he was just a student. Someone encouraged him to make a project and participate in a science exhibition. His project was appreciated a lot and went on winning awards first at the district level, then at the state level and subsequently at the national level and finally at the international level. Encouraged by his success, he submitted his project to the Government of India under the TePP ( Technopreneur Promotion Programme) sheme. Under this scheme the government extends all types of support to upcoming technopreneurs and scientists. He still remembers how his mentor Professor S.N.Mathur helped him in preparing the write up for submitting his proposal. In the ministry, his proposal was scrutinized by senior level scientists and finally approved by them.

The ministry gave him funds and his current journey started in 2006. He created machinery for this specific purpose, did testing of his products and developed a viable marketing model for the same. He developed prototypes of his machines and products. His project and work was appreciated and approved by the Anand Agricultural University and the Nadiad Agriculture University as well. The Assam government also appreciated his work.

Ashish says it took him 14 years of hard work to achieve success. Today, he has three international patents and 750 articles of his on the subject have been published all around the world.

Ashish is promoting his cause of reusing the banana roots through his NGO, the Prem Care Foundation and a Self Help Group (SHG). He has engaged many disabled women, widows and deprived women in his SHG teaching them work from the start, and assisting them on all levels of production. He wants that no one, especially such women, should not be dependent on others for their livelihood.

Ashish exhorts other people that they shall also endeavor to form SHGs of deprived people and get associated with his project. Such SHGs can produce handicraft products. He observes that many tourists come to Udaipur and they are crazy about the handicraft items being produced in Udaipur, and so, SHGs must benefit from this.

Ashish believes that in life hurdles, obstacles and difficulties are bound to come, but you must never let down your passion. He has also faced many hurdles in his life. But as he was totally passionate about his goal he overcame them with grit. When you start a project, you cannot be sure who among your friends and acquaintances will be supportive in the future. Whether the media will be positive about your work or not. You shall leave everything to providence, he thinks.

Ashish recounts that he comes from a middle class family. His father had retired and his mother who was a teacher took care of him and his two sisters. They somehow managed things on their mother’s fixed income. And, then, in 2007 his father expired. But, he feels content about his success which he thinks he has achieved due to his father’s blessings.

Ashish feels that the government is always ready to fund good viable projects, you only have to present your project properly before the authorities. He feels that if any work is good for humanity then you must do it. On the question of sacrifices in life he replies that his biggest sacrifice is the loss of his father. He remembers the times when he stumbled. He also remembers how many people were unfaithful with him and deserted him after promising to help. His advice is that one must always be practical and rely on ourselves only. Go for whatever your goal is and ultimately you will get fruitful results. Ashish reminds you that people only like to listen to success stories and not tales of failure.

He says that his Prem Care Foundation is always eager to help everyone. He calls everyone to form SHGs and work for the betterment of the community. He says that he knows about all government formalities and policies and also about all other aspects of community work. If anyone is interested in such work and needs any help in this regard, his foundation is always eager to help and assist. They are even ready to join hands and collaborate with other people. They are supplying handicraft products and are ready for tie-ups with any person or organization or NGO in this field. They are producing useful eco-friendly products which are good for humanity. They are working on vermicompost and other bio-products which can replace the chemical urea and phosphates used in agriculture.

Ashish says that we shall always strive to connect nature with nature. He says that we are very careless. We forget to carry paper or cloth bags when we leave our houses for shopping. That is why they are producing biodegradable carry bags.

When asked about his idea of fun, he says that the best is when one discovers fun in whatever one’s work is. He always finds fun and pleasure in his work. However, he also likes to enjoy happy times with his family. He says that you must always maintain a good atmosphere in your home, and that you shall never hurt anyone.

He says he can tolerate monetary loss or loss of anything but cannot tolerate loss of humanness. Whenever he sees anything going against mankind he will speak up.

He says never feel defeated in life. Once you have decided to do anything, then go for it with your full vigor.

His inspiration is this quote from Abdul Kalam, “First we change, then society changes and then the country changes.”