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Minutes of Core Group Meeting on December 5, 2013
Minutes of the Meeting of the Core Group of RuTAG - IITD held on 5th December, 2013 in the CRDT Committee Room, IIT Delhi.
A Meeting of the Core Group of RuTAG, IIT Delhi was held on 5th December, 2013 in the CRDT Committee Room, IIT Delhi under the chairmanship of Prof. R.R. Gaur. Following were present:
- Prof. R. R. Gaur, Chairman, Core Group, RuTAG, IIT Delhi.
- Major S. Chatterjee, Senior Project Consultant and Member, Core Group, Office of the PSA, Vigyan Bhavan Annexe, New Delhi.
- Prof. Satyawati Sharma, Head, Centre for Rural Development & Technology, IIT Delhi and Member, Core Group, RuTAG-IIT Delhi.
- Prof. S. N. Naik, CRDT, IIT Delhi.
- Prof. S. K. Saha, PI of Projects “Utilization of the Standardized Animal Driven Gear Box for Multiple Rural Applications”, ”Improved Design to Reduce Drudgery in Operation of the Human-operated Treadle Pump for Irrigation” and “A Device for Making Tulsi Mala Beads”,
- Prof. P.M.V. Subbarao, PI of the Project on Technology Standardization and Testing cum Training Facility for Ultra-micro (Pico) Hydel Power Package for Rural Applications.
- Shri L.D. Kala, Staff of the Project on Technology Standardization and Testing cum Training Facility for Ultra-micro (Pico) Hydel Power Package for Rural Applications.
- Prof. Ajit Kumar, PI of the Project on “Improving the Design of Bullock Driven Tractor to make it more users Friendly”, School of Engineering & Technology, IGNOU, IIT Delhi.
- Dr. Jagpal Singh, Senior Project Assistant, RuTAG, IIT Delhi.
- Shri Raj Kumar Gupta, Senior Project Assistant, RuTAG, IIT Delhi.
- Shri Avnish Jain, On Contract, RuTAG-IIT Delhi
- Prof. Rajendra Prasad, Coordinator/PI and Convener, Core Group. RuTAG, IIT Delhi.
Prof. R. R. Gaur, Chairman, Core Group, RuTAG, IIT Delhi welcomed the participants and started the proceedings of the meeting.
Agenda item No. 1. : Confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting of the Core Group:
The minutes of the meeting of the Core Group of RuTAG, IIT Delhi held on 11th December, 2012 were already circulated to all the members/participants. No comment had been received. The minutes of the last meeting were deemed as confirmed.
Agenda item No. 2. : Action Taken on the decisions taken in the last meeting of the Core Group of the RuTAG-IIT Delhi:
Prof. Rajendra Prasad apprised the Committee about the action taken on each of the decisions taken in the last meeting held on 11th December, 2012. He made a power presentation in which outcome of each Project was highlighted.
Regarding the project on “Improved Design to Reduce Drudgery in Operation of the Human-operated Treadle Pump for Irrigation” it was emphasised that the improved Treadle Pump developed by RuTAG-IIT Delhi under the project should be installed in the field areas and feed back of the users from the field be collected on this improved version.
Major Chatterjee wanted to know the status of the meeting suggested by Shri C.P. Kushwaha/NGO with PCRA. It was informed that due to transfer of concerned Officer in the PCRA, the meeting could not be fixed as yet. However, the NGO is still in contract with the PCRA.
Regarding the Utilization of the Standardized Animal Driven Gear Box for Multiple Rural Applications, the Chairman indicated that the project cannot be treated as completed because the gadgets with attachments are yet to be tested and if there is any problem, further modifications to be carried out. In view of this there is need to extend the project duration up to March 2014.
Major S. Chatterjee appreciated that RuTAG-IIT Delhi had identified the manufacturers in each of its technologies for commercial production of gadgets.
Agenda item No. 3. : Status of On-going Projects:
- Project near completion:
Technology Standardization and Development of Testing-cum-Training Facility for Ultra-micro Hydel Power Package for Rural Applications:
Prof. P.M.V. Subbarao, PI of the project apprised that all the gadgets have been purchased and electric connections made. There was some security problem which is being solved. The testing will be conducted by end of January 2014. Major S. Chatterjee indicated to conduct Review meeting of the project in middle of February, 2014. The Chairman opined that an internal evaluation of the project may be conducted in the month of January, 2014 before Review meeting. Since the project duration had already expired on 31st October, 2013, there is need to extend the project period up to 31st March, 2014. Prof. P.M.V. Subbarao was requested to send a status report of the project requesting extension of the project period so that it may be forwarded to the Office of PSA for consideration.
- New Projects:
- Facilitating the Use of Fruwash Technology for Extending Shelf Life of Fruits and Vegetables at Pratapgarh Amla Belt:
Prof. Rajendra Prasad made power point presentation. It was informed that Fruwash emulsion has been prepared in IIT Delhi by Prof. H. M. Chawla in Chemistry Department for extending shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables are dipped in this Fruwash Emulsion. For low quantity of fruits and vegetables washing may be done manually. For washing larger quantity of fruits and vegetables a machine may be required.
In Pratapgarh district, Amla is produced at large scale. A workshop for demonstration of application of fruits and vegetables was conducted in the month of January, 2013 in which manually application of fruwash on some fruits and vegetables was demonstrated. There was demand for mechanical application of Fruwash, particularly on Amla. A machine for mechanical application of Fruwash has been designed and is being fabricated at M/s Genius Engineers, Dwarka, New Delhi which is expected to be completed by 15th December, 2013. After its completion, the demonstration of application of Fruwash will be conducted at IIT Delhi and then the users/ farmers to be invited from Pratapgarh. It will be sent to Pratapgarh for field trials.
- Improving the Design of Bullock Driven Tractor to make it more users friendly:
Prof. Ajit Kumar, PI of the project told that in the earlier project of RuTAG-IIT Delhi, three models namely Kamdhenu, Brahmpuri and Shekhar of bullock driven tractors were studied. The major problems observed were - no lifting mechanism for attachments like harrow, cultivator, seed drill etc.; difficulty in turning due to heavy attachment; heavy weight caused fatigue and stress to the bullocks and that it did not work properly in clay soil. Under this project an improved model of Kamdhenu is being developed with lifting arrangements and is under fabrication at workshop of M/s Santosh Brothers International, Industrial Area, Imalia, Bulandshahar (U.P.). It will be tested there. If any problem observed, further modifications will be done there. The improved model is expected to be ready by the end of December, 2013.
Once this model is ready, it will be sent to SCRIA, Khori, Rewari for conducting demonstration before the farmers of nearby area, particularly the farmers of Dahina village who are interested to adopt this technology as expressed in the workshop held on 27-11-2013 at SCRIA, Khori, Rewari.
Agenda item No. 4: Future Projects Proposals/Programmes under consideration:
- Future Project Proposals:
- Improvement of Furnace for Bangles Making and Improving the Working Conditions of Artisans.
Prof. Rajendra Prasad apprised that Prof. Sangeeta Kohli is the PI and Prof. M.R. Ravi of Mech. Deptt. is the Co-PI of the project. About 220 Artisans in the villages of Bharatpur district are engaged in making green/red glass Bangles using traditional community furnaces. 15-16 Artisans work on a traditional furnace simultaneously. They use mustard straw as fuel for burning the furnace. Each artisan earns about Rs.250 - 300 per day. The problem of drudgery involved in making glass Bangles was raised by the NGO - Lupin Human Welfare & Research Foundation, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The temperature inside the furnace at which the raw glass melts is from 1000 to 1200 degree Celsius while the temperature where the artisans work is about 50-55 degree Celsius. The problems identified in the furnace are: drudgery involved in continuous use of fuel, inefficient burning of fuel and pollution due to black smoke while the problems in working conditions of the artisans are: sitting posture: no back support, tiding of legs with a belt, pain due to rotating of Kalbhoot rod by hand Palm, working in excess of heat at work place and pollution due to smoke at work place.
As shown in the presentation, a stove is being designed which could generate the required temperature for melting the raw glass in the furnace. It will be developed and lab tested at IIT Delhi. If found workable, will be provided to each artisan who will fill it with the fuel and place in his chamber of community furnace. Possibility to use alternate fuel in this stove such as saw dust or briquettes will also be explored, sitting arrangement will be developed and tools being used will be improved. Besides, working environment will be improved.
Major S. Chatterjee indicated to send Concept Note of the project to the Office of PSA for consideration. It will be sent to CGCRI for appraisal and to find out if some work has already been done on the subject.
- Improvement of Bamboo Stick Making Device:
The problem was raised by Shri Somnath Choudhary of Bonanza Consultants, Safdarjang Enclave, New Delhi. He brought a wooden device by which bamboo sticks for Agarbatti making are sliced by the women in Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram states of North Eastern Region. The users face lot of drudgery in its operation. Although a Metal device was also developed but that also was not making the bamboo sticks of required thickness/ number of sticks per kg. Although Shri Choudhary promised to make available the metal device to RuTAG-IIT Delhi but that has not yet been made available.
The Committee was of the view that the Bamboo sticks proposal may be kept on hold till they make available the metal device.
Major S. Chatterjee emphasised the need of technology of making round Bamboo sticks.
- Improvement of Potters Wheels and Potters Kiln:
Prof. Rajendra Prasad apprised that the problem was raised by the Potters in Uttam Nagar area at Delhi and also highlighted by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). Prof. M. R. Ravi has done some work on the Potters’ Kiln. He has agreed to work on Potters’ Kiln project for Uttam Nagar.
Regarding working on Potters’ Wheel, Prof. Ajit Kumar showed interest. He had done some work on the Potters’ Wheel earliar also.
Major S. Chatterjee indicated to adequately justify the need of the project. He suggested contacting Dr. D. Raghunandan to collect inputs since CTD has done considerable work on Red Clay Pottery.
- Power Generation using Multiple Bullocks Pairs:
Prof. Ajit Kumar deliberated on the proposed concept of power generation using multiple pairs of bullocks. He stated that the concept was presented in the RuTAG-IIT Delhi Haryana Regional Workshop at Khori, Rewari where the participants, particularly the Sarpanch of Dahina village agreed to provide the field and the required bullock pairs to conduct the experiment. Prof. Ajit Kumar indicated to conduct the prototype testing within Rs. 1,00,000/-
Major S. Chatterjee was of the opinion that need wise the concept is fine. But it is a R&D component. Conceptually it is to be established first. Cost estimates are to be worked out. A Concept note may be prepared and submitted to the Office of PSA for consideration.
- Future Programmes:
Prof. Rajendra Prasad mentioned about the workshops to be conducted by RuTAG-IIT Delhi in near future as given below:
- Gorakhpur, U.P
- Shahadol, M.P
Agenda item No. 5: Coordination and Chairmanship of the RuTAG-IIT Delhi:
Prof. Rajendra Prasad informed the Committee that he will be retiring in January, 2014, therefore, he may not be able to continue as Coordinator/PI of RuTAG-IIT Delhi after 31st January, 2014. The name of Prof. S. K. Saha was proposed for the Coordinator/PI of RuTAG-IIT Delhi. Prof. Saha takes active interest in the activities of RuTAG-IIT Delhi. Prof. Saha was PI of several projects of RuTAG-IIT Delhi. He participated in the various meetings of RuTAG-IIT Delhi. He was instrumental in publishing the News Letter of RuTAG-IIT Delhi, preparation of website of RuTAG-IIT Delhi etc. Therefore, he was best suited to be the next Coordinator/PI of RuTAG-IIT Delhi. Prof. Rajendra Prasad supported the proposal. The Committee unanimously agreed to assign the responsibility of the Coordinator/PI of RuTAG-IIT Delhi to Prof. S.K. Saha. Prof. Saha accepted the responsibility of the Coordinator/PI of RuTAG-IIT Delhi.
Prof. R. R. Gaur, informed that he is associated with RuTAG as Chairman of the Core Group of RuTAG-IIT Delhi since beginning, about last five years. But now he is engaged in Value education activities and therefore, would not be able to devote enough time for the activities of RuTAG. He would like to relinquish the responsibility of the Chairman of the Core Group of RuTAG-IIT Delhi.
Major S. Chatterjee indicated that an External Review of the RuTAG-IIT Delhi is going to be held in second fortnight of December 2013. He requested Prof. Rajendra Prasad to continue the coordination and Prof. Gaur to continue the chairmanship till External Review has taken place. He indicated that Review Committee may suggest modality of restructuring RuTAG.
The next meeting for discussing the preparations for the External Review Committee was fixed on 23rd December, 2013.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Prof. Rajendra Prasad Coordinator/PI, RuTAG-IITD |
Prof.R.R. Gaur Chairman,Core Group, RuTAG-IITD |
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