(RNS) – Nav Sawhney had made it. He worked as an engineer, developing new technologies for one of the most innovative companies in the world. What more could he want from his profession?

The answer, it seems, is a lot. In 2019, Sawhney left her comfortable life and job in the UK and moved to South India to start a new life and career based on a vision of meaning, purpose and service. He helped build stoves with Engineers Without Borders, an experience that transformed him as much as it transformed the people he served. During his time there, he met a woman, Divya, and learning about the difficulties in her life, decided to make her life easier by building her a washing machine.

On his return to the UK, he built a prototype, which led to Sawhney’s initiative and his new passion.: The Washing Machine Project. Sawhney has dedicated the past five years to building and growing this effort. Since then he has refined his prototype, named Divyain honor of the woman who inspired his journey. Their model saves 50% of the water of a regular machine and 75% of the time women spend globally washing clothes by hand.

Nav activity is growing in reach and impact. The Whirlpool Foundation recently committed a large grant to the organization and Nav’s project has been featured in prominent outlets, from the BBC to The Times of India and now, RNS. I sat down with Nav to discuss his path, including how his Sikh faith fits into the story. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What inspired you to start this work? How did it come about?

My inspiration to start The Washing Machine Project came from a combination of my engineering background and a desire to create tangible and impactful solutions for those in need.

After graduating, I worked at a well-known vacuum cleaner and hair dryer company. I was bored, frustrated and unfulfilled. Later I was seconded working with Engineers Without Borders in South India making kitchen stoves; this is where I met my next door neighbor Divya. I was surprised at how much time Divya would spend doing painful chores, including washing clothes by hand for up to 20 hours each week. I promised to return to Divya with a manual washing machine and make her life a little easier.

Nav Sawhney. (Photo courtesy of The Washing Machine Project)

I returned to the UK and started the Washing Machine Project. So far we have impacted 30,000 lives and have a presence in 13 countries. We plan to impact 150,000 people in the next 3-5 years.

Seven years later, after many different versions of the car and now with a team of 11, we finally returned to India and gifted Divya with a car.

How did your Sikh background inform your decision to participate in this project?

From my personal interpretation of Sikh values, what really resonates with me is the value of ‘seva’ (selfless service and giving). This central principle, along with growing up in a household that emphasized giving and recognizing the human race as one, shaped my outlook on life.

These values, instilled in me by my family, gave me a commitment to addressing systemic issues and prioritizing the needs of others, which naturally led me to create a solution that could help alleviate the struggles many face .

What Sikh values ​​or teachings are you based on?

The Sikh value of seva is very universal – being selfless and giving back to the community you serve. We listen carefully to our users, making sure their needs are met. It makes us quite unique in the methodology we use to do this, which is always with dignity.

We are also aligned with the Sikh teaching of recognizing the human race as one. That guides our approach to this problem. Most people in the world wash their clothes by hand, so we focus on the common humanity we all share and work on solutions that benefit the wider community.

Divya Manual Washing Machine. (Photo courtesy of The Washing Machine Project)

There is a lot of need among the Sikhs, especially in Punjab. Why not just look to serve your community?

This issue transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. Although this is a massive problem in Punjab, we always go where the need is greatest. The laundry problem spoke to me because of its pervasive impact on everyday life for everyone and its potential for tangible, immediate relief.

What makes you go into this job? It’s arduous and grinding and involves a lot of risk and commitment. What inspires you to keep giving in this way?

He delivered a washing machine to someone like Divya and saw the immediate improvement in her life and those like her. Quality of life is incredibly motivating. I am driven by the belief that engineering can change the world, and by surrounding myself with people who inspire me, I remain committed to this challenging but deeply rewarding journey.