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Wheels of progress

On the occasion of the World Disability Day tomorrow Arun Sondhi presents India Wheelchair, a revolutionary carrier for those with locomotive disability. He shares the features with RANA SIDDIQUI

PHOTO: V. SUDERSHAN

GRITTY Arun Sondhi demonstrates how the India Wheelchair user can climb stairs

The best way to combat a problem is to face it. And who knows it better than Arun Sondhi, a 45-year-old St. Stephens College alumnus who was a boxing captain, football player, athlete but also the winner of National Award in physical fitness from the Government of India. But that was in 1983. Arun met with an accident the following year, which left him bed-ridden for two years for it turned him paraplegic (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 in those days to help him take up the threads of life on a wheelchair. Neither were there suitable wheelchairs to make an active user independent. So Sondhi went to Sweden. After completing courses from Sweden's various rehab centres, Sondhi has now invented the India Wheelchair that promises to revolutionise the lifestyle of people with locomotive disabilities. Besides, he has also improved upon the already existing Mukta Wheelchair, bringing out the Mukta Foldable and the Mukta Light. These were created at the India Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi, founded by mountaineer Major Ahluwalia. He did it with the help of Multivac India, a disabled aid providing company started by Pratap Dubey who started polio vaccine programme in India and is himself polio-affected. And interestingly, his India Wheelchair costs only Rs. 6,600, same as the old one's costs, while Mukta costs Rs. 20,0000 and 27,000 respectively. Both are lifetime products.

The difference?

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.

The user does not need assistance all the time.

It is easily foldable and collapsible, can fit into the boot of the car, an autorickshaw for it has quick release rear wheels with push button hubs.

It comes in two sizes 14 inches and 18 inches, meant for children and adults.

These are lightweight; 11.8 and 12.7 kg, respectively

It is more stable sideways and doesn't fall back while lifting it up as it has vertical frame folds and adjustable anti-tip wheels for landing at inclined, tilting or obstacle-infested surface.

These are washable as it has easily removable seat and back rest.

It has detachable footrest, quick release armrest to move from one chair to another or any swing away action.

The user can even climb up stairs with it, without any assistance.

From the ISIC factory outlet at Manesar, one can get it even for Rs.6000.

All the spare parts like tyres, ball bearings etc. are easily available in any spare parts shop anywhere in any part of the country and are affordable.

Mukta Folding and Mukta Light Weight are actually electric wheelchairs. They run on a normal battery smaller than the size of a car battery. It can work continuously for more than an hour, and can be charged from any socket.

It carries an extra battery and in case of need, it can be replaced by a car battery too.

Its armrest is now fitted with a joystick, which can be adjusted permanently to the left or right arm, depending upon the user's hand mobility.

Arun also trains the wheelchair user. There are power exercises like boxing, lifting, table tennis etc at ISIC. "Such training was unthinkable earlier as it always carried the risk of falling off the chair. With this chair not only is the risk is gone but the users can even participate in Special Olympic Games," says Arun who has himself won several European, Nordic and Swedish championship in power lifting.

Arun Sondhi can be contacted at Ph: 9810936760 and Project Manager's Phone number is 9899709429.

Website address: www.multivacindia.com

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