President to launch e-charkha for better spinning

New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) Spinning of khadi yarn will no more be a monotonous work.

One can now listen to music while spinning 'charkha' and generate electricity that can be used when the power goes off.

Khadi&Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed an e-charkha that would be formally launched by President Pratibha Patil on November 19.

Giving a demonstration on the e-charkha before mediapersons in Mumbai yesterday, KVIC Chairperson Kumud Joshi said, ''The Charkha will be a boon to the spinners, who would be able to experience the fusion of economic activity with the pleasure of music while working on the e-charkha.'' The e-charkha has been developed by Mr Hiremath, a Bangalore-based engineer who has been active in the field of non-conventional energy resources.

The Charkha has maintenance-free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. Spinning the Charkha for about two hours will give back up power for about 6-7 hours of basic lighting and playing radio.

The cost of the new age Charkha is Rs 3,000. KVIC plans to induct two lakh pieces of e-charkha at Khadi weaving centres across the country.

UNI