Rahul Bakare, CEO of Urdhvam Environmental Technologies, has over a decade of experience in groundwater products, services, and solutions, leveraging his expertise for societal betterment.

Rahul Bakare is the CEO and founder of Urdhvam Environmental Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a Pune-based company that offers innovative products, services, and solutions for groundwater management. Rahul has over a decade of experience in the field of groundwater and has a strong passion for social development.

Rahul grew up in Pune and completed his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at the University of Pune. He then pursued dual master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and computer engineering at the University of Michigan, USA. He worked in the IT and software sectors in the US for eight years and then returned to India to continue his career in the same field for another six years. He also obtained his executive MBA from IIM Kolkata. After completing his MBA, he decided to use his skills and expertise for the betterment of society and founded his own startup.

Rahul says that he did not have much guidance growing up and followed the conventional path of engineering like many others. He received a good education and earned well, but he was not satisfied with his life. He discovered his passion for social development after going through that cycle and converted it into his profession.

Rahul considers Steve Jobs as his role model, as he admires his vision and innovation in the field of technology. Rahul believes that Jobs revolutionized the way people interact with computers and paved the way for modern advancements in the industry.

Rahul’s startup aims to solve the problems associated with groundwater quality and quantity, which affect 80% of India’s population. India is the largest extractor of groundwater in the world, but it faces the challenges of depleting groundwater levels and contamination. Rahul’s startup leverages innovative technology and data-driven solutions to address these issues and improve the overall water management practices in India. Through their efforts, they hope to not only provide sustainable solutions for India but also inspire global action.

Rahul identifies three main problems associated with groundwater: a lack of understanding of groundwater behavior, increased demand for water due to population growth and urbanization, and a widening gap between demand and supply of water due to overexploitation and climate change. Rahul emphasizes that without a proper understanding of groundwater behavior, it becomes difficult to effectively manage and conserve this vital resource. Additionally, the increased demand for water, coupled with the widening gap between demand and supply, further exacerbates the need for sustainable solutions.

Rahul also organizes training programs to raise awareness among various stakeholders, such as farmers, apartment owners, students, researchers, etc., about groundwater. He is also doing R&D on developing a groundwater simulator that will depict the behavior of groundwater. By conducting training programs and raising awareness, Rahul aims to empower people with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage groundwater resources. The development of a groundwater simulator will provide a valuable tool for understanding the complex behavior of groundwater, enabling more informed decision-making and sustainable water management practices.

Rahul warns that, according to a Niti Aayog report, 54% of borewells in the country will go dry in the next ten years. This will further aggravate India’s water crisis, as it is already a water-scarce country. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to address the impending water scarcity. Implementing sustainable groundwater management strategies, such as promoting rainwater harvesting and implementing efficient irrigation techniques, can help mitigate the potential crisis and ensure a more secure water future for India.

Rahul explains that the main cause behind borewells going dry is that we extract water at a much faster rate by electromechanical methods than what the earth can replenish naturally. This leads to borewells going dry over time.

Rahul is working on the Bore Charge technology, which he claims is the first of its kind. He aims to provide cost-effective solutions to the underlying problems with groundwater. He hopes to make a positive impact on the community by providing sustainable and efficient solutions. He believes that his innovative technology will help address the water crisis in the region.

Rahul advises the youth to never stop exploring if they don’t know what their passion is. He says that there is a lot to do in the world, and one should keep discovering new things. He also says that once one finds their passion, they should stick to it for a long time, as it takes time to see tangible results. He stresses the importance of staying motivated and committed to one’s goals.