Ankur Rawal 10 June 2018
Khichdi cart -initial report study and recommendations
KHICHDI CART
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The project has been on for about 6 months now, and Mahesh Bhai working with all his heart while lacking a forelimb- the recommendations are at two levels and as follows: Observations1. Cart is used once a day in the evening 2. Daily route is unfixed and ranges from 6 kms to and back Ranip, to 13 Km, CG Hospital and back 3. Containers filled with khichdi weigh upwards of 30Kg and need assistance to be carried from the kitchen to the rickshaw 4. Containers once becoming empty, one has to put their hands all the way to the bottom and this causes the shirt cuffs to get dirty 5. lots of slopes on any route that the cart has to take, hence acceleration takes effort, plus the containers at the back are non-hoisted, which cause a lot of movement 6. A volunteer is mostly accompanying Mahesh Bhai , and mostly travels on a separate vehicle, as the cart cannot accommodate an individual, plus it is cycle powered 7. Waste management, though planned into the project upon inception..does not seem to be practical when at use. Since people like to throw dons (paper bowls) anywhere 8. Mahesh bhai’s efforts and heartwarming approach is the underlying success behind the smiles seen on the faces of receivers. I suggest, things to be made easy for him Recommendations1. Introduction of electric rickshaw to cover1.1.fixed distance on single charge- upwards of 40km- sufficient for any trip within Ahmedabad 1.2.Acceleration for bridges, flyovers and uneven land gets sorted 1.3.Charging infrastructure could include panels on the parking space- saves from sun as well as enough charge for 1 day of riding. 1.4.Costs within 1lac INR 1.5.No manual effort in driving. Can be operated with one hand :) 1.6.Can accommodate one volunteer from Manav Sadhna premises and bring them back 1.7.The frame of the electric rickshaw frame can be remade to accommodate specific space for the smaller containers. Same for various other storage spaces 1.8.Waste collection basket can be made into the frame on the outside
KHICHDI CART
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I had earlier done a project for Mother NGO in Delhi (they work for homeless rehabilitation). Where it was desired to have an e-rickshaw driven by a handicapped individual (who had a leg missing) for dispensing parantha and sattu drink. This is back in 2012. The khichdi project follows similar lines. here are some images: flat trays used for hot paranthas, cup dispenser at back, shelf space behind driver. Foot brake was converted into hand operated one
KHICHDI CART
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