PORIEM: School education should bring out the best from students, in terms of creativity, which is the highest form of intellectual abilities. Two students of Bhumika Higher Secondary School, Poriem, Sattari, have done just. They have innovatively crafted an automatic electric wheelchair using scrap materials. The project, which was completed in just five days, is aimed at assisting people with disabilities and senior citizens.
The higher secondary school principal Yeshwant Sawant praised the students -- Istdev Morya and Shubam Samant's initiative and suggested that with sponsorship, the prototype could be further improved and manufactured on a large scale.
In a remarkable work of creativity and innovation, is designed to aid the differently-abled and senior citizens. The chair functions independently without needing assistance, featuring emergency buttons and automatic turning controls. The students mentioned that the project cost them around Rs 20,000.
Istdev Morya, one of the innovators said that he observed that the aged and disabled persons were not able to walk properly. He said Goa has the second highest population in India above the age group of 50 years.
Morya said the automatic wheel also has an emergency button which can be pressed incase the person needs anything. The budget of this project is Rs 20,000 and it is a base model and can be upscaled based on finances.
An elated Principal of Bhumika Higher Secondary School Yeshwant Sawant, said, “Such type of projects are usually made by college and engineering students. This project is done by Class 11 and 12 students, hence it has to be really appreciated. Secondly, this project is made out of waste. To make a good wheelchair will require finance. If sponsors come forward and assist the students and their teachers, there will be publicity and it will be very useful for the people in need.”
Vice Principal Raosaheb Rane, also praised the efforts of the students especially since they come from a rural higher secondary.
The students Istdev Morya and Shubam Samant aspire to improve and produce more chairs in the future to donate to those in need, provided they receive further support and sponsorship.