Spinning Power ; An Ingenious Coupling of the Age-Old Spinning Wheel With an Electrical Dynamo, Called the E-Charkha, Not Only Produces Yarn but Generates Electricity As Well.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:06 AM


(Source: India Today) By Nandini Vaish
It's an invention Mahatma Gandhi would be proud of. Bangalore- based engineer R.S. Hiremath, 48, has developed a product that combines the fundamental principles of the age-old charkha with the power of a dynamo. The result: an electronic charkha which can light a bulb even as it spins fibre.
The e-charkha has a hand-driven spinning wheel that converts its rotational energy into electric energy. About 10 minutes of spinning can power a 25-watt bulb, enough to illuminate a 10-by-10-foot room for approximately an hour.
The product is being tried in the rural areas of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and South Africa, where electricity is a scarce commodity.
Andhra Pradesh is already planning to distribute these e- charkhas under the Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries scheme so that village homes can have individual lights.
Even the Khadi and Village Industries Commission is sanctioning funds to agencies involved in khadi yarn production to buy the product and distribute it.
"I call it empowerment in a box,says Hiremath. Coming from a rural background, he remembers his early days in Bijapur where there was no electricity.
A young Hiremath was fascinated by his father's cycle and the light attached to it. While playing with his grandfather's charkha, he decided to mix the two. He first attempted that during his days at Gulbarga Engineering College, Karnataka, in the early 1980s, but the contraption turned out to be too bulky.
After many trials and design changes, the light element was changed from a bulb to a light-emitting diode element. The cycle dynamo was replaced with a high-efficiency three-phase AC generator using rare earth magnets.
Today, the e-charkha weighs about 10-12 kg and costs Rs 4,000 for a two-spindle unit and Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 for an eight-spindle unit. Hiremath has also attached a small transistor to his device, so that one can even listen to music while running it.
But that's not all from Hiremath. This compulsive inventor has also developed other products such as talking maps for the blind and an electric cycle rickshaw. In 2000, he was given the National Award for innovation in the disabled field for the talking maps. More power to Hiremath.
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Spin, sing and power the e-charkha way
Adding 'e' to 'Gandhigiri' in the country the e-charkha that is to be launched soon not only produces yarn but also generates electricity. With an initial price tag of Rs 3,000, it could be a good option for rural India.

Published on 11/1/2007 4:07:00 PM
By Manoj Gupta
While 'e' has assumed a lot of significance in this computer and Internet age, e-mail, e-ticketing, e-booking, e-filing of return and the words like that have already become a passé. Nevertheless India's Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has decided to add 'e' to 'Gandhigiri' in the country by launching 'e-charkha' soon.

The e-charkha developed by RS Hiremath not only produces yarn but also generates electricity using a maintenance free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter.

The charkha that generate 6-9 Watts of power can, however, help the weavers as they can generate sufficient power to provide back-up for about six to seven hours of basic lighting LED lighting by spinning the wheel for about two hours. Not to forget that it can also help them play radio.

The LED light and the generator (three-phase version) of the e-charkha are of the latest design and both have an extremely long life of at least 35 years.

All components have been chosen after a worldwide search so that the end user has a reliable, foolproof, weather-proof and rugged product, which can be enjoyed for many years.

With an initial price tag of Rs 3,000, it could be a good option for rural people to achieve back-up power, play radio as well as generate employment and according to KVIC, it plans to induct two lakh pieces of e-charkha at Khadi weaving centres across the country.

However, according to Hiremath, e-charkha is just one of the socially relevant products and he has many more such innovations in his sleeve that are being used by poor rural population.

Gandhiji, charkha and khadi
As we know that spinning of the thread on charkha precedes the weaving of khadi. The charkha became a weapon towards achieving independence during non-cooperation movement.

Mahatma Gandhi had said, “In my dream, in my sleep, while eating, I think of spinning wheel. The spinning wheel is my sword. To me it is the symbol of India's liberty.”

The great saint-visionary had also said that he would make the spinning-wheel the foundation on which to build a sound village life. “I would make the wheel the centre round which all other activities will revolve,” he had said.

That charkha was not merely a spinning-wheel for making threads had been made amply clear by Gandhi, “Take to spinning (to find peace of mind). The music of the wheel will be as balm to your soul. I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and woof of our life.

He believed that the charkha is the symbol of non-violence on which all life, if it is to be real life, must be based. He had also visualised that while charkha was a means of income to the poor, howsoever paltry it might be, it undoubtedly had much greater significance.

Spin and sing
According to the Bangalore-based engineer Hiremath who has been active in the field of non-conventional energy resources, the concept of e-charkha revolves around the need to help weavers not only to produce yarn but also to provide both income and electricity to the poorest masses in remote villages.

The basic idea of the e-charkha is not only to produce yarn but also to generate electricity and employment. With e-charkha in place, spinning would never be the same again, he states.

What's more, it helps the rural population spin charkha at night with worrying about the power cuts. If the power goes off, they just need to switch on to the 'charkha power' while continuing to enjoy the favourite FM programme while spinning!

According to Hiremath, with the KVIC planning to induct nearly two lakh e-charkha users, the country can save close to about 30 tonne of carbon dioxide (Co2) every day.

Government to push e-charkha
The Government of India recently reconstituted the Khadi and Village Industries Commission with Kumud Joshi as the Chairperson to promote khadi and charkha.

It has also formulated a scheme for enhancing productivity and competitiveness of khadi industry and artisans in consultation with KVIC. This scheme has the principal objective of upgrading the quality of khadi products for domestic as well as export market.

The scheme is proposed to be implemented over a period of five years and after the complete implementation of the scheme, around 24,000 new employment opportunities are expected to be added.

It would be providing services related to overhauling, repairing and renewal of allied equipment for spinning and weaving and replacement of obsolete equipment in operation with 200 of the best performing khadi institutions registered with KVIC. Besides, it will also be setting up service centres, product and design development capacity building of artisans as well as khadi institutions.

The KVIC has also launched 'Mission Khadi' to convert the khadi fabric into readymade garments of latest designs and is planning to take the help of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai and NIFT, Kolkata for identification and procurement of appropriate machinery for projects under the Mission.
The author is Deputy Director (M&C) of Press Information Bureau

Now, e-charkha to spin khadi in India
Spinning of khadi yarn will no more be a monotonous work. One can now listen to music while spinning the famous wheel and generate electricity as well, all this thanks to the e-charkha that is set for a nationwide launch on November 19 this year.

Published on 10/4/2007 10:54:00 AM


Mumbai: Spinning of khadi yarn will no more be a monotonous work. One can now listen to music while spinning charkha and generate electricity that can be used when the power goes off.Â

Showcasing the e-charkha to the media in Mumbai on the occasion on Gandhi Jayanti, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairperson Kumud Joshi said that it would be formally launched by the President of India on the November 19, 2007.

The e-charkha has been developed by a Bangalore based engineer Hiremath, who has been active in the field of non-conventional energy resources.

The charkha has maintenance free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. Spinning the charkha for about two hours will give back up power for about 6 –7 hours of basic lighting and playing radio.

The cost of the new age charkha is approximately Rs 3,000 and KVIC plans to induct two lakh pieces of e-charkha at Khadi weaving centres across the country.

“The charkha will be a boon to the spinners, who would be able to experience the fusion of economic activity with the pleasure of music while generating power for themselves,” Joshi said
—iGovernment Bureau

Now, e-charkha to spin khadi in India
Spinning of khadi yarn will no more be a monotonous work. One can now listen to music while spinning the famous wheel and generate electricity as well, all this thanks to the e-charkha that is set for a nationwide launch on November 19 this year.

Published on 10/4/2007 10:54:00 AM

Mumbai: Spinning of khadi yarn will no more be a monotonous work. One can now listen to music while spinning charkha and generate electricity that can be used when the power goes off.Â

Showcasing the e-charkha to the media in Mumbai on the occasion on Gandhi Jayanti, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairperson Kumud Joshi said that it would be formally launched by the President of India on the November 19, 2007.

The e-charkha has been developed by a Bangalore based engineer Hiremath, who has been active in the field of non-conventional energy resources.

The charkha has maintenance free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. Spinning the charkha for about two hours will give back up power for about 6 –7 hours of basic lighting and playing radio.

The cost of the new age charkha is approximately Rs 3,000 and KVIC plans to induct two lakh pieces of e-charkha at Khadi weaving centres across the country.

“The charkha will be a boon to the spinners, who would be able to experience the fusion of economic activity with the pleasure of music while generating power for themselves,” Joshi said
—iGovernment Bureau

National

KVIC to launch ‘e-charkha’
Ludhiana: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission of India (KVIC) would launch an “e-charkha” on November 19, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
‘Boon for spinners’
“The charkha will be a boon to the spinners of the KVI sector who would be able to experience the fusion of economic activity with the pleasure of music while working on the e-charkha,” KVIC Chairperson Kumudben Joshi told reporters here on Saturday.
Electricity generation
The e-charkha would generate electricity that could be stored for working of radio and domestic lights, she said.
Ms. Joshi said in reply to a question that KVIC has sanctioned three projects in the state — a khadi cluster in Amritsar, a phulkari cluster in Patiala and a handicraft cluster in Hoshiarpur district which would be implemented in the current financial year. — PTI
Centre introduces e-charkha in Lucknow

Pallavi Bisaria / New Delhi/ Lucknow September 03, 2008, 3:53 IST

To promote khadi and modernise the charkha, the Central government, in association with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has introduced the electronic charkha (e-charkha).
Under the central government’s scheme for productivity enhancement for the khadi industry the KVIC plans to induct two lakh pieces of e-charkha at khadi weaving centres across the country.
The e-charkha developed last year by Bangalore-based engineer, not only produces yarn but also generates electricity using a maintenance-free lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter.
The charkha that generates 6-9 watt power can generate sufficient power to provide back-up for about six to seven hours by spinning the wheel for about two hours. It can also help them play radio. It has become quite popular in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh with a significant number of weavers and spinners. However, these weavers are yet to adopt a modern technique.
“The normal charkhas are time consuming and the end product is also of inferior quality. Introduction of e- charkha will serve the dual purpose of increased output and higher income for the villagers,” R S Pandey— director (UP), KVIC told Business Standard.
“There is a demand of about 2000 e-charkhas in the state which are to be acquired in a span of 2-3 years. Moreover for the initial run, we will be given 200 charkhas by year end,” he added.
The e-charkhas will be engaged in the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) and mini SFURTI schemes running across the state.
Khadi institutions in 5 districts namely Gorakhpur, Sultanpur, Saharanpur, Rae Bareilly and Sitapur have been finalised to be provided with the new charkhas.
“The demand is exceeding the supply. More companies should be engaged by the government which can supply us the new charkhas,” a KVIC officer said.
“We are getting enquiries from interested parties which includes people engaged in the field of non-conventional energy who are ready to take up this project,” he added.


Tuesday , March 10 , 2009
Charkha to solve power crisis
- Khadi board’s innovative tribute to Mahatma
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi at the launch of the e-charkha on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Picture by Hardeep Singh
Ranchi , Oct. 2: The spinning wheel that once symbolised the Indian quest for liberty got a fresh lease of life on Thursday when its improved version was launched here by the Khadi Village Industries Board.
The traditional “charkha”, described by Mahatma Gandhi as a tool to achieve freedom, would now appear in its new avatar “e-charkha” and would help the users in generating electricity, recharging mobile phones and listening to FM radio.
Governor Syed Sibtey Razi and Chief Minister Shibu Soren unveiled the e-charkha on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Morabadi ground on Thursday.
Developed by a Bangalore based engineer R.S. Hiremath, the e-charkha can generate and store electricity. When a user spins the yarn for two hours continuously, a power back up for seven hours is generated in the device.
It has lead acid battery fixed at the bottom, which functions as an inverter. The cost of the e-charkha is Rs 12,000 for the one having eight spindles and Rs 5,500 for the two spindled unit.
The e-charkha has been brought from Khadi commission board, Gujarat and designed by Bangalore based company Flashron.
While lauding the efforts of Jharkhand Khadi board, the Governor said that the entire world was moving towards e-governance. “Gandhiji always looked forward for a change. He showed his concern for the village development. The state khadi board has fulfiled his dream by entering into technology revolution,” said Razi.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren, while speaking on Gandhi’s philosophy said the dream of Gandhi would come to reality only by developing the villages and providing economical independence to the villagers. “He taught us to spin the yarns for financial security, which we forgot conveniently. We no more feel proud in wearing Khadi," Soren added.
“Khadi should be promoted by the society as it has the potential to fight rural poverty,” he added.
Meanwhile, state industry minister Sudhir Mahto said that government would provide loans to the barbers, band masters and puffed rice sellers to help them expand their business.

Gandhi's charkha goes hi-fi!
PTI
Sunday, November 25, 2007 16:15 IST
NEW DELHI: Light, action and entertainment! The hand-cranked spinning wheel, popularised by the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, has now been given an electronic tweak to transform it into a hi-tech gadget that not only produces yarn but also light a bulb on demand and is can even power a transistor radio.
Called the 'e-charkha,' the invention by a Bangalore-based engineer is an ordinary charkha fitted with a battery and connected to a LED light. The energy produced by the charkha while it is being spun is used to charge the battery attached to the bottom of the spinning wheel and the power thus generated can power up a LED light used in home lamps.
The maintenance-free lead battery fixed to the charkha functions as an inverter, and charges itself from the energy generated when the charkha is spun.
"The big spinning wheel is connected to a generator and using the charkha for approximately two hours can generate enough power to light up an LED bulb, or to play a small transistor radio for around 6 to 7 hours," says Hiremath, an engineer who has patented the invention.
Launched formally by the President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the function in the capital recently the gadget has won approval of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, which is planning to induct two lakh pieces across Khadhi
weaving centres across the county.
The engineer, whose company Flexitron, has patented the invention says, "In remote areas of the country, uninterrupted and regular electricity is still a dream. The charkhas will help boost the income of the weavers in rural and far-flung areas as well as break the monotony that they are accustomed to. They can listen to the radio while they spin."
Priced at Rs 3,000 per unit, the 'e-charkha' is cost effective too, he says adding, "The LED light unlike ordinary bulbs does not wear off easily and can be used for at least 30 to 35 years. Also, the battery is an easy maintenance one and uses the latest 3 phase AC generator technology to produce electricity, so even this can be used for over 30 years."
"The user will be very happy as compared to the investment the returns are high. We have aimed the product at users in the country's deepest and poorest villagers who have no or erratic power connections. This I think is an unique solution for providing light, income and entertainment," say Hiremath, who has given up a career in engineering and found his vocation in developing products for the disabled.
The sale of e-charkhas through KVIC outlets is part of the Government's scheme for enhancing productivity and competitiveness of the khadi industry. Several steps like overhauling, repairing and replacing obsolete equipment as well as providing assistance to product and design development among others are being pursued by the Government.