INTERVIEW: Hemant Sahal on Inventions

INTERVIEW: Hemant Sahal on Inventions

Posted on 29. Nov, 2009 by Charles Tsai in I-Inspiration, I-Ventures, Inventions

Continuing our interview series with youth who have launched invention ventures through our Invent Your World campaign, we bring you this interview with Hemant Sahal, inventor of the CALLMAT.

1) Your invention venture, CALLMAT, aims to address the problem of water contamination by offering a technology that would remove toxic metal ions and pollutants. Why are you so interested in this issue?

Currently I am staying in Vellore (Southern India) which is famous for leather industries which have lead to chromium (one of the toxic metal ion) poisoning of natural resources. On seeing the people adversely affected by the polluted water I was prompted to address this issue for sustaining the coming generations and emancipate the present one.

2) In simple terms, how does CALLMAT work?

It is an invention comprising of a simple mat which when suspended in water extracts all the metal ions and pollutants we are targeting. After using once it can be treated with a solution which makes it ready to be re-used.

In short, Usability and Accessibility coupled with cost effectiveness for rural masses and small scale industries are the key factors in designing CALLMAT.

3) What gave you the confidence and ability to invent a new technology to address the problem of water contamination?

It is the inherent strength to do new things with a different method of thinking. I believe everyone wants to have clean water and environment; we have to just provide them hassle free ways to do so.

4) At what age did you start thinking or behaving like an inventor? Who or what influenced you?

In my childhood I used to have a closet in my home where I kept all newspaper cuttings, magazines, non-functional machine parts and my own tool kit as I was very enthusiastic about inventions and technology.

If I look back to my life, there has been one person who has consistently influenced me and he is none other than my father. He is my hero who has influenced me spiritually, academically, socially and in all the way anyone can. Apart from him, well Ashoka’s Youth Venture has influenced me a lot too. I have learnt a lot and the way I look at the issues I address in my ventures has completely changed.

5) What type of inventor or social entrepreneur would you like to be?

I do not believe in very high level of research and inventions. I want to revolutionize the milieu of life of rural masses by inventing simple and cost effective technologies that would solve the grass root issues. I believe outputs are an inventor’s responsibility but bringing outcomes out of it requires a social entrepreneur. I would like to be a perfect combination of both.

6) What important philosophy or ideas shape your thinking today?

My philosophy is to stay awake, without being over ambitious stay focussed on my ventures and bring maximum outcomes from them. My final aim is to be altruistic to others particularly to the down trodden masses.

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9 Responses to “INTERVIEW: Hemant Sahal on Inventions”

  1. Charles Tsai

    29. Nov, 2009

    Just curious… India is known for not eating cows. So how is there a leather industry? Where does the leather come from?

    Reply to this comment

    • Karthikeyan Sivashanmugam

      08. Dec, 2009

      Hi Cahrles
      I do work with Hemant a very little for his CALLMAT solution
      We do import tonnes and tonnes of calf leather from various parts of globe. If you need the exact details do contact me.

      Reply to this comment

  2. Hemant Sahal

    09. Dec, 2009

    Hii Charles..
    My apologies for the late reply..was busy with so many things..well the fact is skins of so many other animals like sheep, buffalo etc are also used but calf leather is used too..

    Reply to this comment

  3. Martin Amalraj

    19. Dec, 2009

    Is there a scope to apply your invention at the industry efflent treatment plant…..??? – at the primary source in the industrial effluent…. If so, can the treated water be free of led and chromium ? what is the methodology ? what is the cost to treat 1000 lts of such effluent ?

    Reply to this comment

  4. Swati Gunjan

    05. Feb, 2010

    Hey Hemant
    Great job man.. well thought… really a work of great appreciation..!! I will be eagerly waiting for the outcomes and thus reduction in the polluton level which is the need of this time.. wishing u All The Best for every step tou take in this path..

    Reply to this comment

  5. Hemant Sahal

    05. Feb, 2010

    Hi Swati,

    Thanks a lot for your comments..i really appreciate your zeal to do something for the rural masses..i wish u good luck too in your endeavors..let me know if I can help you..

    Reply to this comment

  6. Rachna

    18. Feb, 2010

    Hi Hemant,
    I was researching on some current inventions which have resulted in small ventures ..and came across your article..i am curious to know at what stage of development are you on this, have you applied for any patent?

    Regards,
    Rachna

    Reply to this comment

  7. Hemant Sahal

    20. Feb, 2010

    Hi Rachna,

    Thanks for your interests in my invention. A lot has been accomplished but lot has to be done still. Their is a lot that CALLMAT has achieved till now. I can share more with you, plz mail me on sahalhemant@gmail.com.

    Regards,
    Hemant Sahal

    Reply to this comment

  8. Hemant Sahal

    12. Mar, 2010

    guyz check out my recent interview in “La Vanguardia”, Spain’s one of the most leading newspaper.

    http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://www.lavanguardia.es/lacontra/lacontra.html&sl=es&tl=en

    Regards.
    Hemant sahal

    Reply to this comment

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