Y DiY?

[Chetan Prasad]

I have always felt DiY is about individuality. Its like the difference between buying a ready made trouser where the waist, length etc are never right Vs getting a pant stitched. Or the amount of involvement in customising the plan and interiors of your house or kitchen. Why then do we settle for so many other things made for the general populace? See how a car is personalised? The upholstery, tints, number plates, horns, decal stickers etc. This is a sign that everybody wants to stand out from the crowd, personalise his solutions. But then again, if there are only 20 types of horns? You still belong to a group. Until you can make a horn yourself. This is Diy leading to innovation. What do you think?

[Chetan Prasad]

Read what the world has to say about DiY in India

DIY Culture Yet to Develop

Indians, as a rule, do not "do it themselves". An army of skilled professionals – carpenters, plumbers, painters, gardeners and electricians – are available in every city, and are made use of for installations and repair. Labour is still relatively cheap and there is not enough skill among lay householders to carry out the task themselves.

Marketers and manufacturers mainly target their products at professionals, and so instructions on the product are incomplete/brief. Products are also not packaged with the necessary fixtures (screws, paint brush, etc) to allow for ease of DIY use. For the purposes of this report, DIY in India has been defined as retail sales to the end user/home owner, even if the home owner/buyer is not involved in installation.

Full article here: http://www.euromonitor.com/DIY_And_Gardening_in_India

[Betty]

No offence meant, But I too have felt this. I cannot define all the benefits a DiY community enjoys, but it is huge. Apart from the obvious monetary benefits, I brings about confidence and happiness. You will know what I am talking about if you are a DiY'er.

[Chetan Prasad]

Many of us shop at Metro. One common item on sale is a range of Office chairs. But the uncommon factor is visible when you buy it. It comes in a totally knock down package. A fully assembled chair of 3’ x 3’ x 4’ ( 36 cubic feet) is delivered to you in a box 3’ x 3’ x 9” (6.75 cubic feet) with a sheet of instructions and a hex key.

What are the benefits of this which the manufacturer and Metro pass on to you?

The manufacturer saves money on assembly labour cost, transportation ( 36 cft Vs 6.75 cft ) and Metro saves valuable storage space. All this is passed on to you the buyer. You pay lesser just because you have the skill to assemble a knock down chair.

Imagine what the benefits will be if we can repair and assemble cars, bikes, furniture etc.

[Betty]

Very true Skipper. Most western countries (companies) propagate DiY culture and it is willingly and enthusiastically followed by the people. When a foreign company exports to India, the same product is fully assembled and finished. Apart from the increased international freight due to increase in volume, this also adds labour (very high) costs.

There will be a major price slash if we DiY.

But change is not so simple. No company will risk sales to improve India or Indians (or any other country). So it is 'which came first, the chick or the egg?'. As and when Indians change, DiY club members, who are also manufacturers should release a small percentage of their production in "KIT FORM" and grow this market.

Economics is a strong motivator and more people will develop DiY skills.

[Malini Prabhu]

Chetan Sir, I fully agree. If I may, I would like to extend on this. Why cant we do this to Almirah's. Those huge, empty boxes of steel sheet. Why don't companies like Godrej, which has so much resources adopt this technique? Imagine the savings in transportation costs which can be passed on.

May be I will put this on 'Can Indians Innovate?' and also 'Why O Why?' bcoz it fits the bill perfectly.

[Chetan Prasad]

I have already mentioned our inexplicable dependence on money. But see how adversely dependent we are. When ever there is a calamity, we always hear of NGO's asking for donations, either cash or kind. Most of us write a cheque, sleep peacefully. Wake up only when the scam breaks out and rue the fact that the money never reached the intended recipients.

Is this the only way of offering help?


Look at this photo.

Brad Pitt building houses for the poor in India.

HOW MANY OF US CAN AFFORD TO DO THE SAME ? ?

[Malini Prabhu]

Wow! Unbelievable. Just imagine our heroes or netas doing this. Another aspect of DiY. Thanks