IIT Kanpur student, Ms Shanu Sharma, wins for designing a convertible, stair climbing wheelchair
New Delhi, October 30, 2012 --- GE India today presented the 2nd annual GE India Innovation Award at CII's annual event, 'Decade of Innovation: India @Year 2'. Shanu Sharma, an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) student was recognized as the winner this year for her innovative design to create a convertible manual, stair climbing wheelchair. Dr. Gopichand Katragadda, Managing Director, GE India Technology Center presented the cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 to the winner today at New Delhi.
The award by GE India is in line with its focus on localized innovations and efforts to foster and fuel a robust ecosystem for innovation in India. The award strives to honour individuals and corporate organizations across sectors who have contributed positively towards the development of the society through their designs and innovation.
Wheelchairs available today are not suitable or favorable to stair climbing and are a major constraint to accessibility for differently-abled people. The wheelchair designed by Shanu Sharma, codenamed 'Vardaan', is designed for climbing stairs with mechanical benefit via lever ratchets system and braking system. A Y-shaped wheel has been designed and incorporated within the frame for better grip and optimum braking for climbing up and down a flight of stairs.
Presenting the award, Dr. Gopichand Katragadda, said, "We are thrilled to present the award for grassroots innovation today to Shanu Sharma. Her design is a simple and effective mechanical concept to enable wheelchair users to maneuver over stairs. This is a common need especially in countries where wheel access is not ubiquitous. The most important step forward now is for hospitals and wheelchair manufactures to help make this concept a commercial success."
"Such examples showcase how innovation results in localised cost-effective approaches to solve problems specific to the markets they address. We, at GE, are focused on building capacity to solve India's toughest challenges across energy, health and home, transportation and finance sectors. . These in-country products have the potential to eventually disrupt developed markets as well," added Dr. Katragadda.
Dr. Katragadda at the CII convention also presented his insights on the topic of "Innovations for emerging markets". In his address, he highlighted the importance of emerging markets driving innovations in times of global uncertainty, the pre-requisites for an ideal innovation ecosystem in these markets and the need to promote it from a long-term growth perspective.
The innovation award was announced last year by GE as another initiative to encourage innovation in India.
GE is committed to develop localized products and solutions in India which bring about a positive impact in the lives of people.
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