India’s first programmed T-shirt that can display a text message of your choice was developed by a female entrepreneur. At Girls in Tech- Women of the Millennium series, N. Mahalaxmi, who developed these easy-to-wash T-shirts along with her husband, said they plan to introduce new models of programmed clothing in the coming months.
The T-shirts, which are available in a variety of colours, display messages using small bulb sets which can be triggered by a programme installed in any cellphone. Ms. Mahalaxmi asked women to take inspiration from their day-to-day lives and start technological projects that were unique and sellable.
“It’s possible to make family and friends your support system. They can inspire and mentor you as you go about doing your work,” she explained.
The Girls in Tech Foundation was launched two years ago to make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education interesting to girls. The foundation offers courses and encourages young women to adopt STEM as a field of study.
In the millennium series, also supported by the U.S. Consulate-General, Hyderabad, 17 women entrepreneurs were honoured.
Speaking at the meet, Aruna, a woman entrepreneur who started Bamboo House for eco-friendly furniture, said it was her search for an eco-friendly sofa set that made her start Bamboo House. “Now, I make furniture by recycling scrap tires and discarded drums. The GHMC has placed Bamboo House furniture at parks and public places,” Ms. Aruna said.
Girls in Tech founder Sreevidya Vadlapudi requested more young women to innovate in the newly-developed start-up culture. “There are women investors who invest in women entrepreneurs. We plan to bring both on a same platform,” Ms. Vadlapudi told The Hindu .
Global Summit
The Girls in Tech meet was a precursor to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit which the city would host in November this year, said Gabriel Hons Olivier, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate-General. “The U.S. Consulate has been supporting events that will run up to the global summit. We have conducted several events and workshops to encourage women in STEM. The global summit will have 100 entrepreneurs exclusively from Telangana and a total of 500 participants from India,” Mr. Olivier told The Hindu .
The summit would be a networking place for Indian and U.S. innovators, entrepreneurs and investors, he added.
