http://www.ndtvgadgets.com/indiainnovatespage.asp?id=40
Bamboo Splint Cutter 12/05/06
It was a sticky issue. Cutting a series of bamboo sticks and getting the right shape, size and uniform quality. This instrument aims to sort that problem. It cuts bamboo sticks into fine and uniform shapes. An innovation of Usman Shekhani of Bhanupratapur in Chhatisgarh -this simple looking apparatus is helping hundreds of poor people earn a living. Many are earning upto Rs 200 a day.
Usman Shekhani, Innovator
"We train people here. In the training process we teach them how to use the cutter, how to cut the strips in an efficient manner to generate as high as possible an income from this. In fact they have understand the process very well and do good work and earn profit from this business"
Usman's device is made up of two parts. First is this strip cutter, this cuts small and thin strips of bamboo. The stick cutter has a rubber roller fitted and once the thin strips are cut they are rolled under this. This helps give the uniform shape to the sticks. One can make 1500 to 2000 such sticks in an hour, which can be sold in the market for upto Rs 200. Whats more, you can use discarded pieces of bamboo to make ice cream sticks and even 300 toothpicks in an hour. A machine that does all this is available in the market for close to Rs 80,000 and in comparison this machine costs only Rs 450. Another advantage of this machine is that it can be operated by a single person. In these days of power crisis - this device doesn't run on electricity.
Usman Shekhani, Innovator
"The best part about this stick cutter is that it cuts a bamboo strip into five sticks of uniform size at one go, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency. It also improves the quality of incense sticks manufactured using splints which have been produced from this device"
Usman's innovation has found favour with many including the local politician who feels that this innovation can become a major source of self employment.
Dev Lal Dugga, MLA, Bhanupratapur
"He has made a simple and inexpensive machine for making bamboo splints. There has been a very good response to this innovation and we want people to have access to it. Bamboo is easily available in this area and this device can provide women, especially those who do not work in the fields a good source of income"
It took Usman close to a year to design this innovation. Till date he has made and given 300 such machines to people. But Usman is a little worried about others copying his design. Usman's bamboo stick cutter has also been awarded by the National Innovation Foundation. He has also applied for a patent recently. For the future, Usman Shekhani hopes and dreams of making many such simple devices that will help hundreds earn their bread and butter.
For this dealer of electronic goods, the support he has got from his family has been significant. His family consists of his wife, three sons and a daughter who got married some years back. His eldest son is studying and also helps him in his innovations also. Apart from his family his friends have also helped him in his innovative journey.
Riyaz Rizvee, Usman Shekhanis friend
"Bamboo is prolific in this area, thus is easily available. I think we supply bamboo to all parts of the country from here. In recent years the people here have voiced a desire for a bamboo cottage industry. I think Usman felt this need for a long time also and has come up with a very good innovation"
Usman Shekhani
"I have always received a lot of support and encouragement from my family. My children are grown up now. They not only help me but they also give me suggestions for my work. I act upon their suggestions which are often related to the design of my innovation. I have modified the design 4 or 5 times now and each time it has improved."
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Bamboo Splint Cutter 12/05/06
It was a sticky issue. Cutting a series of bamboo sticks and getting the right shape, size and uniform quality. This instrument aims to sort that problem. It cuts bamboo sticks into fine and uniform shapes. An innovation of Usman Shekhani of Bhanupratapur in Chhatisgarh -this simple looking apparatus is helping hundreds of poor people earn a living. Many are earning upto Rs 200 a day.
Usman Shekhani, Innovator
Usman's device is made up of two parts. First is this strip cutter, this cuts small and thin strips of bamboo. The stick cutter has a rubber roller fitted and once the thin strips are cut they are rolled under this. This helps give the uniform shape to the sticks. One can make 1500 to 2000 such sticks in an hour, which can be sold in the market for upto Rs 200. Whats more, you can use discarded pieces of bamboo to make ice cream sticks and even 300 toothpicks in an hour. A machine that does all this is available in the market for close to Rs 80,000 and in comparison this machine costs only Rs 450. Another advantage of this machine is that it can be operated by a single person. In these days of power crisis - this device doesn't run on electricity.
Usman Shekhani, Innovator
"The best part about this stick cutter is that it cuts a bamboo strip into five sticks of uniform size at one go, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency. It also improves the quality of incense sticks manufactured using splints which have been produced from this device"
Usman's innovation has found favour with many including the local politician who feels that this innovation can become a major source of self employment.
Dev Lal Dugga, MLA, Bhanupratapur
"He has made a simple and inexpensive machine for making bamboo splints. There has been a very good response to this innovation and we want people to have access to it. Bamboo is easily available in this area and this device can provide women, especially those who do not work in the fields a good source of income"
It took Usman close to a year to design this innovation. Till date he has made and given 300 such machines to people. But Usman is a little worried about others copying his design. Usman's bamboo stick cutter has also been awarded by the National Innovation Foundation. He has also applied for a patent recently. For the future, Usman Shekhani hopes and dreams of making many such simple devices that will help hundreds earn their bread and butter.
For this dealer of electronic goods, the support he has got from his family has been significant. His family consists of his wife, three sons and a daughter who got married some years back. His eldest son is studying and also helps him in his innovations also. Apart from his family his friends have also helped him in his innovative journey.
"Bamboo is prolific in this area, thus is easily available. I think we supply bamboo to all parts of the country from here. In recent years the people here have voiced a desire for a bamboo cottage industry. I think Usman felt this need for a long time also and has come up with a very good innovation"
Usman Shekhani
"I have always received a lot of support and encouragement from my family. My children are grown up now. They not only help me but they also give me suggestions for my work. I act upon their suggestions which are often related to the design of my innovation. I have modified the design 4 or 5 times now and each time it has improved."
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