A fresh look at technology, for building societies

Engineers without Borders, a group comprising engineering students and professionals, pitches in to install facilities in far-flung rural areas

September 21, 2014 04:18 am | Updated 04:18 am IST

The idea behind the group’s projects is to help societies, using engineering-based solutions. Photo: Special Arrangement

The idea behind the group’s projects is to help societies, using engineering-based solutions. Photo: Special Arrangement

Poor infrastructure and a lack of amenities are issues that many people in our country deal with. Now, the Engineers without Borders (EWB) group is looking to tackle these problems by re-engineering existing technology.

The group, which comprises engineering students and professionals, pitched in to install ‘dignified’ toilets for a village, helped with a water purification process in another village and provided electricity for a hamlet that is not part of the State’s grid.

The idea behind their projects is to help societies, using engineering-based solutions. “We focus on proper implementation of projects using existing technology modified to suit the requirements,” D. Gokul, president of the Tamil Nadu chapter of EWB, said.

The team currently has around 200 student members, and has been working for the past two years on building capacity. The various chapters at different colleges have been identifying projects to complete. At IIT-Madras, for instance, a group of students are working on the installation of around 25 toilets in Vilangadupakkam in Tiruvallur district.

“Our team is using the concept of dignified toilets developed by R. Elango from Kuthampakkam, and have modified the design to suit the needs of the area. For the next few years, we will also be maintaining the toilets,” Akshit Salecha, an IIT-M student with EWB, said. Students from SRM University and IIT-M are working together on the project, which will be completed soon.

They are also installing DC power-generating solar panels in Aapur, a hamlet 3 km from Singaperumal Koil. “With the panels, two lights and a fan will be provided for each household. A similar project is being implemented in Government Girls’ High School in K.K. Nagar,” Gokul said.

While the students do most of the work, the senior members are always on call. “When a project is first identified, the senior members meet with the panchayat and find out the needs; it is only after that the students come in,” Abhishek Sharma, an IIT-M student, said.

The team is now looking to get more students involved in their projects. “Not only will the students understand engineering, but they will also make a difference to society. If a student wants to continue one of our projects as an entrepreneurial venture, we will also support that,” V.M. Seenivasan, secretary of the TN chapter of the group, said.

For funding their projects, the team is applying to a number of different agencies in India and abroad, but they are also looking towards corporates.

The team can be contacted at ewbchennai@gmail.com

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