Rudra Narayan Mukherjee is not a real-life 'Phunsukh Wangdu' and backed with reputed engineering college degree apparently because he does not need any.Neither he needs bookish knowledge; understand difficult formulae and mug-up lengthy algorithms to find solutions to problem common men face in their day-to-day life.The Arts graduate's list of solutions or 'innovations' goes on starting from safety alarm for bikes, accident alarm system, calling beds for babies, distress call from dying trees and railway safety device that also at a very cheap price.
"I have developed 20-22 devices for different purposes which are relevant for anyone. Still I am working now on more than 40 ideas which are unknown to the world," claims Rudra who loves be called as 'Grameen Vaigyanik' i.e. rural scientist.It must be the zeal of the son of an Electrical Engineer at BCCl coupled with deprivation back home behind his knocking the doors of none other than 'Make in India' initiative, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das for assistance.
"I have ideas but that do not fill my stomach. I got reply from officials related to 'Make in India', approached CIMFR (Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad) and also from NIF (National Innovation Foundation). They all ask for my ideas and technology behind the gadgets without any assurance about not getting copied or any monetary compensation. I need patents to safeguard the innovations but it cost around Rs 86,000 to acquire a single patent. It is impossible for me," says Rudra, who recently visited the CM's Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar with a pledge.
No definite word of assistance arrived from the CMO but his efforts caught attention of Sanjay Kumar who directed him to Transport Secretary Ratan Kumar. The Department showed interest in his "calling helmet" that can decide life or death for any accident riddled rider. "The idea was good but that has to be connected with commercial aspects concerned. Helmet manufacturers or motorcycle companies can pounce on the idea and make it an USP. He also needs to get patents so that it can be produced commercially. I have suggested him about this," said Ratan Kumar endorsing the innovations made.
The calling helmet-named as 'auto-safe' can send distress call to family member in case of an accident -- is one amongst the likes of a device that would automatically call the owner of a bike if anyone tries to break its handle lock.This apart, the device developed for plant lovers would take care of water need for trees fitted with it and send SOS if irrigation is desperately needed.
"My latest device would provide easy life to toddlers who often have to keep wearing uncomfortable and unhygienic napkins like 'Huggies'. The 'calling bed' would send information to the parents within six seconds of the child getting wet. For women in need, I have developed 'Damini-The Protector'," he quips.
Apart from hollow assurances about institutional assistance from Government, Rudra has got gust of fresh air from private sector instead. "Recently CEO of a company Narsimha Rao contacted me and expressed his willingness to enter into a tripartite agreement along with CIMFR. His company would bear expenses of patents of two of my innovations to start with. These are for motorcycle anti-theft device and 'auto-safe' helmet," said the resident of Sindurpur village of Baliyarpur block, 20 kms from Dhanbad.Clearly, all is not well for the 'Rancho', who is struggling for better days for himself and several other 'Grameen Vaigyaniks' like him with 'Virus'; the system.
