National, 8th of April 2026: Smile Foundation, in collaboration with Ashirvad by aliaxis, India’s leading provider of plumbing and water management solutions organised a seminar on “Innovative Technologies in Plumbing” in Bengaluru. The seminar spotlighted a significant opportunity to transform the sector, generate higher employment opportunities by training 44% of the workforce with modern plumbing technologies. Bringing together industry leaders, Sector Skill Councils, and training organisations, the seminar focused on accelerating technology adoption, expanding on-ground training, and building a future-ready plumbing ecosystem to support India’s rapid urban and infrastructure growth.
The seminar served as a cross-industry platform for stakeholders to exchange insights on emerging trends, evolving project requirements, and the role of innovation in improving efficiency and sustainability in plumbing systems. The seminar saw participation from Mr. Sudheer Pobbathi of Ashirvad by aliaxis, Mr. Rozer Vincent of Ashirvad Training Academy, representatives from the Water Management and Plumbing Sector Skill Council, industry leaders from Prestige Group, KOHLER, and Cemindia Projects Limited, along with key representatives from Smile Foundation.
A key highlight of the seminar was Plumber Saathi, an initiative by Ashirvad by aliaxis implemented by Smile Foundation, which delivers free of cost, on-site and community-based training to plumbers. The programme focuses on enabling plumbers to upgrade their skills at their place of work or residence, ensuring accessibility and practical, hands-on learning.
Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “Bringing training closer to where plumbers live and work is key to unlocking the sector’s full potential. Through initiatives like Plumber Saathi, we are equipping plumbers with advanced skills, enabling their earning opportunities, thereby transforming the future of their children and families. We are also strengthening the foundation for a more advanced and future-ready plumbing ecosystem, wherein skilled plumbers are central.”
Mr. Sudeep Agrawal, CFO & Head – CSR, Ashirvad by aliaxis said, “At Ashirvad by aliaxis, we believe that investing in the skilling of plumbers is not just a social responsibility-it is a strategic imperative for India’s infrastructure future. Initiatives like Plumber Saathi reflect our commitment to making advanced plumbing knowledge accessible at the grassroots level. By equipping plumbers with the tools and technologies of tomorrow, we are not only enhancing livelihoods but also ensuring that India’s rapidly growing urban landscape is built on a foundation of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.”
Discussions focused on the integration of advanced technologies within the plumbing ecosystem. Experts highlighted the importance of retrofitting and adopting smart plumbing systems to modernize ageing infrastructure, while also addressing challenges in high-rise buildings such as pressure management and waste systems. The role of smart water metering and automation in improving efficiency, reducing water loss, and enabling sustainable usage was also emphasized.
The seminar concluded with a shared call to action for stakeholders to work together in driving innovation, expanding skilling efforts, and building a skilled, inclusive, and technology-driven plumbing workforce aligned with India’s urban and sustainability priorities.
About Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 2.5 million children and families every year through numerous welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across remote villages and urban clusters in 27 states. Please visit: www.smilefoundationindia.org
About Ashirvad by aliaxis
Ashirvad, part of the global Aliaxis group, is a leader in fluid management solutions, offering a wide range of products across plumbing, agriculture, and industrial segments. With over 25 years of expertise, Ashirvad continues to set industry standards in innovation, quality, and sustainability. The company manufactures over 6000 product SKUs catering to plumbers, retailers, distributors, influencers, MEP consultants, contractors, homeowners, farming community and infrastructure sector. Ashirvad by Aliaxis has a presence of over 9 Distribution Centers/Depots across the country. The company has a network of over 55000 dealers and 7 fully functional, state-of-the-art manufacturing units located across the country.