Grandfather inspires her to design ‘Walker’ with adjustable legs
By Vikas Vaidya
She used to watch her old grandfather having pains while climbing the stairs. Her family members tried walker, but it did not work. She was not finding solution what to do? Then idea struck to her mind-- what if she herself prepares a walker which her grandfather find useful. This girl started working on it. She endeavoured and came out with a fantastic design.
Moved by the difficulties her grandfather faced, Shalini Kumari, a girl from Patna, Bihar invented a walker that ultimately landed her in National Innovation Foundation (NIF)- India’s league of winners. A walker to help the physically weak climb stairs was designed by her when she was only in class 9!
Shalini Kumari’s grandfather, who loved spending time on his terrace garden, became dependent on a walking aid when he met with an accident. Unable to walk without a support, he was restricted to the ground floor and could not go for a daily walk in his beautiful garden.
The incident in 2011 gave this 12-year-old girl an interesting idea to make an adjustable walker that could be used everywhere.
Shalini found that it is quite difficult for old, physically challenged or person recuperating from lower limb problems to climb up or down stairs using conventional four leg walkers. Shalini gave an idea to mechanically alter the height of the legs of the walker so that they can be adjusted as per the height of the stairs. The front legs of the walker can be raised while climbing up the stairs and lowered while climbing down. She has also thought of including a folding seat so that the user can rest for a while when required and fitted a horn and a light to it as well.
Then Shalini heard about National Innovation Foundation’s (NIF-India) IGNITE awards for young innovators. This was exactly what Kumari needed at that time. She then inked her idea on paper, made various designs and illustrations to explain it and submitted them to IGNITE. To her surprise, the idea was shortlisted and the NIF-India team developed the final product for her. They experimented with different materials and designs, tested the prototypes and went through several iterations of redesigning and reproductions. After five prototypes, they were ready with the final model.
The final mode, l which is ready to market, has been transferred to Nagpur-based firm Kaviraa Solutions. The company plans to produce 10,000 such walkers. A patent has been filed in Kumari’s name for the product and she will be getting royalty for each product sold. NIF facilitated the transfer of technology to Kaviraa Solutions which will manufacture and market the product.
A rehabilitation centre has expressed an interest in obtaining this product and NIF-India is currently in talks with them to formalize the process. She is also expected to receive a prize money worth Rs. 2,00,000 which she will be handing over to her parents to use for her further education. Meeting and receiving the national innovation award from the former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the biggest moment for her.
Mahesh Sadhwani, Managing Director of Nanik Group and Chairman, Jhulelal Institute of Technology told The Hitavada, “This is an unique product and helpful for disable and old age people. I want people of city should avail the benefit so I have decided to support Kaviraa solutions.”
Moved by the difficulties her grandfather faced, Shalini Kumari, a girl from Patna, Bihar invented a walker that ultimately landed her in National Innovation Foundation (NIF)- India’s league of winners. A walker to help the physically weak climb stairs was designed by her when she was only in class 9!
Shalini Kumari’s grandfather, who loved spending time on his terrace garden, became dependent on a walking aid when he met with an accident. Unable to walk without a support, he was restricted to the ground floor and could not go for a daily walk in his beautiful garden.
The incident in 2011 gave this 12-year-old girl an interesting idea to make an adjustable walker that could be used everywhere.
Shalini found that it is quite difficult for old, physically challenged or person recuperating from lower limb problems to climb up or down stairs using conventional four leg walkers. Shalini gave an idea to mechanically alter the height of the legs of the walker so that they can be adjusted as per the height of the stairs. The front legs of the walker can be raised while climbing up the stairs and lowered while climbing down. She has also thought of including a folding seat so that the user can rest for a while when required and fitted a horn and a light to it as well.
Then Shalini heard about National Innovation Foundation’s (NIF-India) IGNITE awards for young innovators. This was exactly what Kumari needed at that time. She then inked her idea on paper, made various designs and illustrations to explain it and submitted them to IGNITE. To her surprise, the idea was shortlisted and the NIF-India team developed the final product for her. They experimented with different materials and designs, tested the prototypes and went through several iterations of redesigning and reproductions. After five prototypes, they were ready with the final model.
The final mode, l which is ready to market, has been transferred to Nagpur-based firm Kaviraa Solutions. The company plans to produce 10,000 such walkers. A patent has been filed in Kumari’s name for the product and she will be getting royalty for each product sold. NIF facilitated the transfer of technology to Kaviraa Solutions which will manufacture and market the product.
A rehabilitation centre has expressed an interest in obtaining this product and NIF-India is currently in talks with them to formalize the process. She is also expected to receive a prize money worth Rs. 2,00,000 which she will be handing over to her parents to use for her further education. Meeting and receiving the national innovation award from the former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the biggest moment for her.
Mahesh Sadhwani, Managing Director of Nanik Group and Chairman, Jhulelal Institute of Technology told The Hitavada, “This is an unique product and helpful for disable and old age people. I want people of city should avail the benefit so I have decided to support Kaviraa solutions.”
NIF transfers technology to Kaviraa Solutions
National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF) signed an agreement with Kaviraa Solutions for non-exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights of ‘Walker with adjustable legs’, an innovation by Shalini Kumari. Nagpur's Mahesh Sadhwani of Nanik Group is providing all support for the marketing. The MoU was signed by Dr Vipin Kumar, Director and Chief Innovation Officer, National Innovation Foundation – India and Kaviraa Solutions. The firm has also voluntary contributed Rs. 2, 00, 000 to the innovation fund at NIF, which is used to provide support to grassroots innovators.
Kaviraa Solutions, based at Nagpur is a firm engaged in home medical equipments such as walker, crutches and others, believes in enhancing the experience of quality treatment given to patients by delivering standard orthopaedic goods.
Kaviraa Solutions, based at Nagpur is a firm engaged in home medical equipments such as walker, crutches and others, believes in enhancing the experience of quality treatment given to patients by delivering standard orthopaedic goods.
Comments
Post a Comment