Innovative spinning wheel that generates electricity

Jaipur, Sept 13 : Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed an innovative spinning wheel, which apart from spinning yarn also generates electricity that charges the attached battery sufficient to energize rural homes for six to seven hours.

It is after more than six decades of independence that the KVIC thought of the dual use of the spinning wheel. It was the loosing battle against electricity failure that the inhabitants in many of the country's villages have been fighting, that inspired the making of e- charkha (spinning wheel).

E- charkha is designed by a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy, Ekambar Nath. It has a hand driven spinning wheel, which has a battery that gets charged while operating the spinning wheel.

The spinning of thread on the e-charkha for two hours powers the attached battery sufficient to light up the specially designed LED light fitted to the e-charkha for eight hours.

"The advantage of electric spinning wheel to the housewife is that spinning the wheel for two hours charges the attached battery sufficient to energize domestic lights for six to seven hours. While doing her daily work, she can use this light. There is no need for kerosene lamps which pollute the environment," said Babulal Sharma, Manager, KVIC, Jatwara.

These e-charkhas have been distributed free of cost to the villagers of Jatwara under a scheme Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries, SFURTI sponsored by the Central Government.

This has made the inhabitants of Jatwara village immune to the frequent and long cuts in electricity supply.

"When there is no light we switch it on. We use the light to make food and our kid's study under it at night. We are able to make some money despite being indoors. We have become financially self sufficient," said Banto Devi, a woman.

Officials of the KVIC said that each e-charka costs approximately 9,000 rupees and currently Jatwara village has 21 e- charkhas. By Lokendra Singh

ANI