Indian giant firm makes water filter for poor

In yet another example of creating wealth from the bottom of the pyramid, the Indian industrial conglomerate Tata Group has launched a new low-cost water purifier, aimed at lower-income households in rural areas.

The Tata 'Swach' purifier is less than one meter tall, and does not need running water or electricity to work.

Tata is hoping to revolutionize the business of providing clean water, a lack of which affects almost one billion people globally.  The health consequences of poor water quality are enormous.

Tata says the device is the result of a decade of research and development.

The Tata Group includes India's largest carmaker Tata Motors, and also has interests in steelmaking, IT, and chemicals.

Its Swach water device - named after the Hindi word for clean - will cost under 1,000 rupees ($21.50; £13), according to one Indian report.

“ This is opening up a complete new market ”  -- Tata Chemicals' chief R. Mukundan

The Swach uses ash from rice milling to filter out bacteria, and also uses tiny silver particles to kill harmful germs that can lead to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid.