15-year-old HARDIK KUMAR DEWAN speaks with SUPRIYA RAMESH about his invention of a protective shield for doctors among other things
What is 'Co-terminator Shield'?
It is a shield with a mission to protect doctors and normal individuals from COVID. Providing some facilities which can solve the burdening problems of doctors. This shield will protect doctors from sweat, fogging on their goggles, spectacles or visors and other problems like skin allergies due to constant use of PPE (personal protective equipment) kits. It provides a comfortable temperature for work along with many other features.
What was the procedure of making it?
It took about six months to complete this project. We need to prepare a prototyping sample, concept of 3D printing, and a 3D sketch by using certain softwares. With that we can prepare a fibreglass mould and get a sample for presentation. Later on, electronic parts like bluetooth, air cooling vents that are connected to a 60ppi copper filter to supply cool purified air to the shell are fitted.
Your aim is to make India a self dependent nation and superpower. How do you wish to achieve this?
To stop the outflow of money we need to be self dependent and our aim should be to export the products from our country and get the inflow of money. An example is that due to the coal and electricity problems in China, the prices of products are increased, which is making a great impact on our country's economy. India is a financially powerful country but we need to be self dependent in some of the work like Google, YouTube, Instagram and social media networks. They are taking crucial data from our country and using it for their own benefits for earning money.
Idea is that creating a concept and working on it is not important. We are creating just like a lot of intelligent minds in our country. There are lots of people inventing new things day by day. But we need to present that in the international market to start importing our products. The conceptual powers are not important, we need to make our own raw materials, need to increase production, business and empower our students to stay in our country and work for it. That will be possible if we increase production where we will get many working hands on in this sector. It's not compulsory to import products from China or America and use their resources but use our own resources.
You are a developer and have also developed some apps. How did you get into developing?
During the first lockdown. I started watching YouTube videos on programming and coding. After that I joined a coding platform due to my interest in it. After practice and receiving professional guidance and help I created this application and launched into the market but it was stopped due to certain circumstances.
Upcoming projects?
At present, I am working on an app for schools to manage their ecosystem and later a software that would help teachers create their own coaching centre.