In 2011, I embarked on my Ph.D. journey at IIT Roorkee under the guidance of Prof. Renu Bhargava, affectionately known as the "Earthworm Lady" due to her extensive research on vermicomposting over the past 25 years. My heart was set on the water sector (SDG6), and my passion ignited during my M. Tech research when I discovered the inefficiencies in Jaipur's wastewater treatment systems. At that time, the city had only a few sewage treatment plants (STPs), and they weren’t functioning effectively. During discussions with my mentor, we decided to explore vermifiltration technology, harnessing the natural capabilities of earthworms for wastewater treatment. This approach might offer an innovative solution to tackle the city’s water challenges while integrating nature's power into sustainable treatment methods.

We set up a small lab to kickstart our research, using a simple 10-liter bucket as the base for our filter. We filled it with filter media and introduced earthworms into the system. This was the first time vermifiltration technology—using earthworms to treat wastewater—was being explored in India. At that point, there was little to no research on this topic in the country, with only a few studies from Australia and China to refer to. As the results started coming in, we felt more confident in our approach.

In the beginning, the earthworms struggled to survive in the filter. I remember one time when I traveled back to Jaipur to collect local earthworm species, Eisenia fetida, hoping they might adapt better to our setup. I had to carry a box of worms on an overnight bus ride from Jaipur to Roorkee. Halfway through the journey, the worms started escaping from the box, and I got some strange looks from my fellow passengers!

The unfortunate part of my journey happened when I arrived in Roorkee early in the morning after an overnight trip. I inoculated the earthworms into my vermifilter and went back to freshen up in my hostel. When I returned three hours later, I was devastated to find that all the worms had died, having been eaten by rats. I had no idea I needed to protect them from rodents in the lab. All the effort it took to transport the worms safely from Jaipur to Roorkee felt like it was in vain.

Another unforgettable moment was when I was feeding the substrate to my filter and somehow lost my diamond engagement ring in the vermifilter :( It was a whirlwind of challenges, but these experiences made the research journey all the more significant.

During the final phase of my Ph.D., I faced another significant obstacle: I lost my mentor, Prof. Renu Bhargava, to cancer. She was a kind and inspiring figure in my life. In that difficult time, I felt lost and wondered how I could complete my Ph.D. without her guidance. I remember her saying, "Sudipti, take this technology forward and make it beneficial for Indian communities. It can serve as a low-cost, sustainable solution for rural villages."

Her words stayed with me, and I completed my Ph.D., returning to Jaipur with a renewed sense of purpose. I continued working on the vermifiltration technology, expanding and optimizing it through experiments. Over time, nearly 30+ students completed their thesis on this topic, and what started as a pilot-scale technology grew into a field-scale solution.

In 2020, I applied for funding to advance the technology further, but the proposal was rejected, with feedback stating that it wasn’t "innovative enough." That was tough to hear, but I still remember how far we had come from the early stages. It wasn't just about innovation—it was about building a solution that could truly make a difference. And that journey was, and still is, invaluable

I took the rejection as a challenge and thought, "Let’s make this technology innovative enough." But I never stopped working on it, because I had faith that this solution could really work for India. I envisioned it as an indigenous technology that local communities, especially in rural areas, could use for sewage treatment. The treated wastewater could even be reused for irrigation, making it a sustainable solution.

When my BIRAC BIG grant application was rejected, I didn't give up. Instead, I decided to apply for other funding agencies like DST. By that time, I had 25 research publications on this technology, and in 2022, I was granted a patent for it. Securing a patent was a proud moment—it proved that this is indeed an innovative technology, one with the potential to make a real impact.

The next step was to apply this technology in the field and test it on a larger scale. I applied for funding from DST to implement it in Aandhi village, focusing on a community health center (CHC) to benefit the rural population. While planning for this, we realized the village faced several challenges beyond wastewater management, so we aimed to transform Aandhi into a zero-waste model village. Fortunately, we received a grant of ₹2 crore to help convert the village towards this vision.

As I write this, we are inaugurating the vermifiltration technology in Aandhi village today. The village’s transformation journey is already featured on YouTube (https://youtu.be/gaFpO34uxKU?si=VUoPP7EL1R-r8kmB). I am certain that Renu Ma’am would be very proud today. The technology has been working wonderfully for two years now—at 10 times lower cost than conventional methods and 100% more efficient. That’s the power of innovation and determination.

Now, as I reflect on this success, I can’t help but wonder, "What’s next?"

We’ve just secured our first industrial project, and construction is already underway. But this is just the beginning—we can’t stop here. What are your thoughts? The journey must go on!

This journey serves as a powerful reminder: dreams take time, sometimes even a decade to turn true. Each step we took—every challenge faced, and every setback encountered—was part of a larger story about perseverance and dedication.

To anyone out there pursuing their passions, remember that research and innovation are not overnight successes. They require hard work, resilience, and a belief that change is possible. Even when the path seems long and daunting, keep pushing forward.

Let the story of these tiny earthworms inspire you to chase your dreams, no matter how far away they may seem. The magic often lies in the journey itself, and every effort you make brings you one step closer to your goals. So, never give up! Your dedication can lead to extraordinary outcomes, just like transforming a village into a model of sustainability. Here’s to dreaming big and working tirelessly to make those dreams a reality!