Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur further proved its commitment to use technology for the well being and uplifting of the poor section of the society. In a small function held on February 5, 2019, VNIT donated three machines developed by its Director Prof. P. M. Padole, under the project sponsored by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory body formed by the Government of India to Niramay Bahu-Uddeshiya Seva Sanstha, village Panjari Dist. Nagpur.
Niramay Bahu-Uddeshiya Seva Sanstha is an organization working in the area of skill development to help the rural women to generate resources and self employment. VNIT donated the organization three machines, an agarbatti making machine, a dhoop stick making machine and a mosquito repellent coil making machine.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dilip Peshwe, Dean Faculty Welfare, who conducted the program, informed that during, one of the visits to remote areas of Gadchiroli district, the Forest Department sought help of VNIT to indigenously develop an agarbatti making machine to be made available for rehabilitation of Naxalites and their families. Till then the machines were imported from Taiwan. Accepting the challenge, Dr. Padole developed the machines indigenously.
Dr. Padole, who holds the patents for these machines, told that, these machines are not only cheaper as compared to the imported ones, but also are designed to suit the needs of the Indian people. He further added that these machines can use the locally available cheap raw material as cow dung etc. to convert it into a valuable product.
Dr. Urmila Kshirsagar, founder of Niramay Bahu-Uddeshiya Seva Sanstha, expressed the need to further strengthen the association between the organization and VNIT. She sought the help from VNIT in marketing the products manufactured by various people in rural areas. Vishramji Jamdar, Chairman BoG, VNIT, presided over the function. While speaking on this occasion he stressed the need of protecting intellectual rights of the technology.
It is to be specifically mentioned here that, VNIT is not restricting itself only to donating these machines, but it will provide all support to the user by providing training for the use of the machines. Various Deans, Associate Deans and Heads of various departments were present on this occasion.
