The Birth of an Idea
On the day of Makara Sankranti in 2015, a friend visiting me in Kanpur expressed an interest in seeing the Ghats along the Ganges River. As we sat on the cold riverbank, surrounded by people performing Suryanamaskaras, we watched in shock as devotees drank and bottled the river water despite the visible pollution. This revered river, deeply sacred to so many, was showing alarming signs of contamination. We began to wonder if we, the worshippers, were unknowingly contributing to its decline.
It was easy to blame the factories, tanneries, and sewers discharging waste into the river. As I tried to explain the issue's complexity to my friend Jakub, I found myself dismissively saying that nothing could really be done about it. But as we sat there, we noticed the discarded temple flowers piling up, their once-bright colors blending into the murky water.
This was the moment something sparked within us. Research soon revealed that these flowers, often treated with pesticides and insecticides, were harmful when discarded into the river. Their chemicals leached into the water, forming toxic compounds that depleted oxygen levels and endangered marine life. Realizing that these flowers needed repurposing, we found our mission—and Achyutm was born.
Our Journey – The Struggle
To many, the idea of repurposing temple flowers seemed absurd at first. Convincing others to support our vision was a challenge; most people weren’t interested in surrendering their floral waste. But this simple concept gained momentum as we tirelessly pitched our idea of managing temple waste across the country. After a year and a half of experiments and countless hours in a makeshift lab, we succeeded in creating our first "flowercycled" incense. Our mission to protect the Ganges and uplift local communities by creating new livelihoods had finally taken shape.
Present – Who We Are Today
Achyutm has grown far beyond the two people who started it, yet our original spirit of adventure that began on the banks of the Ganges remains vibrant.
We've heavily invested in research and development to transform temple waste into sustainable products like biodegradable packaging and bio-leathers. We’re also dedicated to empowering the women who work with us, turning the collection of temple waste into a thriving social enterprise that now operates across three cities.
As Achyutm continues to evolve, we’re faced with many choices. But we stay true to what matters most: our people, our community, and the Ganges.
