Build apps to find safe drinking water: Martin

BANGALORE, INDIA: Water and sanitation problems faced by the world call for serious concern. Yet, they are rarely discussed as they are often considered embarrassing in the Silicon Valley (US). "This mindset must change," feels Jeff Martin, CEO and Founder of Tribal Tech and Mpowering, a US-based organization dedicated to social upliftment of the needy.

However, Jeff Martin believes that there is enough talent around the world and the mobile platform provides tremendous opportunities that can transform lives.

Why not? Jeff knows that very well. He is not just the CEO, but also a former colleague of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who was known for perfection in every product he brought out.

Martin's suggestion on making better use of the mobile platform came during his keynote address at the WaterHackathon, Bangalore, where he addressed ICT professionals, water and sanitation experts who, he said, could build applications that can control the way people do things.

"Build applications that can help people find places where they can find drinking water and well-maintained toilets. They will be of great use,” said Martin exhorting ICT professionals to work with domain experts.

Empowering people makes a lot of sense and mobile is the best way to get results. He further added that mobile applications are perhaps the most innovative things the mankind has seen.

With gadgets becoming inseparable entities for people, it makes sense to use the mobile platform to improve lives. Besides, people prefer to use mobile phones for multiple purposes, he said.

Martin said he truly believed that India is a country with rich heritage and people with lot of innovative ideas and capable of developing technology solutions to address growing concerns about sanitary conditions and drinking water issues.