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Wheels of progress

On the eve of World Disability Day, here is an innovation

PHOTO: V. SUDERSHAN

ASCENT Arun Sondhi climbs stairs using the India Wheelchair made by him

Arun Sondhi, a St. Stephens College alumnus, was a boxing captain, football player, athlete and winner of the National Award in Physical Fitness from the Government of India. But in 1984 he met with an accident that left him bed-ridden for two years and caused paraplegia (lower limb paralysis most commonly caused by spinal chord injury). He was also amputated below the left knee. There was no proper rehabilitation centre in Delhi then to help him take up the threads of life on a wheelchair. Neither were there suitable wheelchairs to make an active user independent. Sondhi went to Sweden and pursued courses from Sweden's various rehab centres. He is now the proud inventor of the India Wheelchair that promises to revolutionise the lifestyle of people with locomotive disabilities. Besides, he has motorised and improved upon the heavy Mukta wheelchair.These were created at the India Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi, founded by former mountaineer Major Ahluwalia. Multivac India, a disabled aid providing company started by Pratap Dubey, who started the polio vaccine programme in India, has helped Arun in his project.

Advantages

Sondhi cites a number of advantages the India Wheelchair enjoys over other indigenously produced chairs. It is also cheaper than the imported ones.

Independence

It is self-propelled while the old wheelchairs need to be pushed by someone. The user needs only half-an-hour training to operate it and be independent, even on busy roads, says the inventor.

Increased mobility

Detachable footrest and quick release armrest help move from one chair to another or perform any swing away action. The user can even climb stairs without assistance, as Sondhi demonstrates.

Convenience

The old design has huge wheels obstructing the movement ahead, he says, and its frame size (frame) is small, obstructing a far view ahead. This one comes in two lightweight sizes, 14 inches (11.8 kg) and 18 inches (12.7 kg), meant for children and adults.

Quick release rear wheels with push button hubs make it easily foldable and collapsible. It can fit in the boot of a car, an auto or a rickshaw. It is also washable, with easily removable seat and back rest.

Stability

The user does not experience the fear of falling backwards while being manually lifted up because it is more stable sideways and doesn't tilt backwards while being lifted up as it has vertical frame folds. Its adjustable anti-tip wheels for landing on inclined, tilting or obstacle-infested surface make it more stable.

Price

The India Wheelchair costs Rs.6,600, like the old less convenient ones. Straight from the factory at Manesar it can be purchased for Rs. 6000 only. The motorised Mukta costs between Rs.20, 000 and 27,000.

Spare parts

Spare parts like tyres and ball bearings, etc. are indigenously available and affordable.

Mukta Motorised

This is lighter than the original and motorised. It runs on a battery smaller than a car battery that works continuously for over an hour, and can be charged from any socket.

The chair holds an extra battery; in case of need a car battery can be used too. The armrest is fitted with a joystick that can be adjusted permanently for the left or right arm.

The contact persons for procuring these wheelchairs are Arun Sondhi (9810936760) and Project Manager, Multivac, Sathya Bakkasam (9899709429). Website address: www.multivacindia.com

The chairs will be displayed at the Bike Expo at Pragati Maidan from January 5-7, 2007.

RANA SIDDIQUI

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