Lend A Hand, Mend our Land

[Chetan Prasad]

Every social problem has a practical, technical solution. If most of the pleasure we derive is due to technology, then it is safe to assume that unhappiness too is due to the lack or misuse of the same. If you see a so called 'social' problem, put it here. Let us try to find a technical solution. For example: If sand or trash on the streets bothers you, instead of gathering a group of dis-interested students to sweep it, think of an inexpensive road scrubber. One dedicated person with the right equipment can consistently replace 20 half hearted volunteers with brooms. There are several such problems. Highlight it here. If this group is really inventive, the solutions will be invented.

[Malini Prabhu]

Most of the remaining lakes in Bangalore are dying due to the hyacinth plant. I remember a newspaper photo of the MEG personnel trying to clean up Ulsoor lake with sickles. As Chetan Sir says, If the MEG ( Madras ENGINEERING Group) resorts to labour oriented non-mechanical solutions, CAN INDIANS INNOVATE?

see article here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17832570.cms

Can we Diy'ers devise a simple 1 or 2 man, boat mounted system to clean up this mess. It may not be possible to eliminate the problem, but regular maintenance would be easy. Try to make this portable so that it can be used in other lakes also.

[Chetan Prasad]

"How many Indians does it take to change a light bulb".

Observe any State Elec Board employees changing street light bulbs. I would say 5 + a vehicle mounted ladder. Why do we Indians abuse labour? Is it because we have excess of it? Can DiY'ers devise a simple one-man system?

The long term solution may not be so simple as it may involve the manufacturer (mainly Bajaj) of the fittings. (Not for a prototype, though).

But look at the imported poles (Even though they are branded 'Bajaj'). These are prolifically used at junctions and are more than 50' tall. These have a simple winch mounted at the base and is operated by a detachable drill gun. The entire light assembly can be lowered to ground level for maintenance by one man.
This may also qualify for 'Why O Why' can't we Indians think like this?

[Chetan Prasad]

A small correction for above post. The main suppliers (in Bangalore) are Philips and Mysore Lamps apart from Bajaj.

Finally I was able to shoot these guys in action.
Red Circle - 'Expert Ladder Upper' whose job is to only winch the ladder up and down.
White circle - Electrician
Black circle - Ground electrician, Driver, Company rep

TOTALLY 5 PEOPLE

The entire operation from vehicle alignment to drive away took 22 minutes.
Is this a job which cannot be done by 1 man? Can't the driver be trained as an electrician or vice versa? These works are outsourced to contractors who bid for these jobs. Imagine the overall savings for the company and the corporation.