e-charkha
October 1, 2007
Now e-charkha to produce electricity
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: At a time when the nation is debating pros and cons of nuclear energy, here comes a gift to the nation: an 'e-charkha' – which will produce electricity. It is a spin-off of the 'charkha'; a device popularized by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.
Interestingly, a big research laboratory has not devised it, but the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The device is the brainchild of KVIC Chairman Kumudben Joshi. It is now being showcased at the KVIC headquarters at Vile Parle here.
President Pratibha Patil is likely to launch the 'e-charkha' on November 19, the birth aniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. "It can light up bulbs and operate radio," said S K Sinha, Director-Khadi with the KVIC - on the 138th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This would be twin-spindle 'e-charka'.
Sinha told 'The Herald' that with two hours of rotation – it produces four watts, enough to last for seven hours. "Not only you can light a bulb, but also listen to a radio, and even charge a cell-phone," said Sinha.
The principle is simple – the energy produced from the rotation is stored in a battery, which can be used later – quite similar to the operation of a dynamo, which too produces power.
In fact, Sinha reveals that the brilliant idea came from a Bangalore-based entrepreneur R S Hiremath, who is Managing Director of Flexitron, engaged in promoting non-renewable energy. "It will give energy and work of spinning can be combined with listening to radio as well and additionally help in charging cell-phone, a communication equipment," he said.
Currently, it weighs twenty-and-a-half-kg – however, efforts are on to reduce the weight, he said. As regards the cost, he said as of now, it would be available at a price of nearly Rs 3,200, however, when it is produced in bulk, the price will come down by15 to 20 per cent. It will be available in Khadi showrooms across the country.
(This news was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
Now e-charkha to produce electricity
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: At a time when the nation is debating pros and cons of nuclear energy, here comes a gift to the nation: an 'e-charkha' – which will produce electricity. It is a spin-off of the 'charkha'; a device popularized by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.
Interestingly, a big research laboratory has not devised it, but the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The device is the brainchild of KVIC Chairman Kumudben Joshi. It is now being showcased at the KVIC headquarters at Vile Parle here.
President Pratibha Patil is likely to launch the 'e-charkha' on November 19, the birth aniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. "It can light up bulbs and operate radio," said S K Sinha, Director-Khadi with the KVIC - on the 138th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This would be twin-spindle 'e-charka'.
Sinha told 'The Herald' that with two hours of rotation – it produces four watts, enough to last for seven hours. "Not only you can light a bulb, but also listen to a radio, and even charge a cell-phone," said Sinha.
The principle is simple – the energy produced from the rotation is stored in a battery, which can be used later – quite similar to the operation of a dynamo, which too produces power.
In fact, Sinha reveals that the brilliant idea came from a Bangalore-based entrepreneur R S Hiremath, who is Managing Director of Flexitron, engaged in promoting non-renewable energy. "It will give energy and work of spinning can be combined with listening to radio as well and additionally help in charging cell-phone, a communication equipment," he said.
Currently, it weighs twenty-and-a-half-kg – however, efforts are on to reduce the weight, he said. As regards the cost, he said as of now, it would be available at a price of nearly Rs 3,200, however, when it is produced in bulk, the price will come down by15 to 20 per cent. It will be available in Khadi showrooms across the country.
(This news was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
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