Charkha - A spinning wheel that generates electricity
The history of the spinning wheel in India goes a long way back. Popularized by Mahatma Gandhi, the wheel was primarily a khadi-weaving machine. Now, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed Charkha - a dual-purpose spinning wheel that generates electricity as well. A lead acid battery at the base of the machine stores the energy produced when the wheel spins. Doubling as an inverter, the battery offers enough power to light up an LED bulb for 6-7 hrs when the wheel runs for two hours. Targeted mainly at rural households in India that face acute power shortages and economical constraints pertaining to power usage, the Charkha will go a long way in offering people a viable, cost-effective lighting option.
Pricing and Availability: The e-Charkha is priced at $200 and will initially be sold across weaving centers in India.
Watch This: Alternate power options have always generated a lot of interest. The Charkha, by virtue of its simple design and never-experienced-before utility, is an ovation-deserving creation.
Designer: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) was set up by the Government of India to promote the spinning wheel (charkha) and Khadi.
Source: Fashionfunky / Pib
