In Sainik Farms, tucked into the leafy quiet of south Delhi, an extraordinary experiment in sustainable living is unfolding. Peter Singh, 80, and his wife Sarparveen (Neeno) Kaur, 72, have transformed their home into a living, breathing ecosystem — one that grows food, purifies air, recycles water, and proves that sustainability is neither a trend nor a sacrifice, but a way of life.

Their secret? Aquaponics — a self-sustaining cycle where water from fish tanks nourishes over 10,000 plants, and the plants naturally purify the water in return. Waste becomes nourishment; nourishment becomes life.

A Home Built on Harmony

Their sandstone-and-limewash house feels both earthy and ahead of its time. “In the city, vegetables often grow near sewage lines for water,” Singh explains. “We wanted to grow our own — clean, healthy, and chemical-free.”

Singh — a St. Stephen’s College graduate — channels his twin passions for science and architecture into what he proudly calls “agritecture.” Neeno tends to the greenhouses. “He designs it, I grow it,” she says, her smile reflecting the warmth of the soil she nurtures.

Even the entryway is designed like a forest in miniature: dusty Delhi air passes through flowing water and wood shavings to emerge refreshed. Inside, UV lights help shade-loving plants thrive using nutrient-rich water piped from tanks holding freshwater carp. Even the fish feed is homemade, crafted from mustard oil cakes.

Farm-to-Table, Just a Few Steps Apart

Spinach, kale, mint, and lettuce flourish under their care. Compost from kitchen scraps becomes food for the soil. On the rooftop, rainwater and recycled greywater nourish fruit trees — their kumquat marmalade already has a fan following.

Every so often, the couple hosts intimate pop-up lunches: French Salade Niçoise, Japanese tempura, Lebanese platters — all crafted from ingredients grown just meters away. “We don’t order food anymore,” Neeno says. “We feel lighter, happier, and more alive.”

Living Off the Grid (Almost)

While Delhi’s air quality fluctuates between poor and alarming, stepping into the Singh home feels like inhaling the after-rain freshness of a hill station. “We don’t need air purifiers,” Neeno shrugs. “Our plants do it for us.”

Visitors often pause, startled by how easy it feels to breathe. “We don’t feel the need to go out anymore,” Singh adds. “We’re happy in this atmosphere.”

Planting Seeds for the World Ahead

Determined to make sustainable living accessible, the couple conducts online workshops, teaching families how to replicate aquaponic systems at home. Singh emphasizes practicality over glamour: “Don’t build expensive setups — make simple ones with local materials.”

His message for the future is simple, stark, and hopeful:

“We have to live sustainably, or there is no future for our children.”

In their sunlit home of fish tanks, greenhouses, and edible gardens, the Singhs offer not just a blueprint for sustainability but a reminder: the future isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we build, nurture, and grow.