After the success of the world famous Jaipur Foot, it is Jaipur Hand now. The Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), the world’s largest organisation for handicapped, which transformed 1.3 million lives with Jaipur Foot, is all set to come out with a Jaipur Hand in collaboration with Stanford University, USA.
A prototype of the Jaipur Hand which performs many functions has already been developed and the artificial limb would be available in a few months, Jaipur Foot’s founder, D.R. Mehta told reporters here on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Indian School of Business’ ‘iDiya’, a national social venture competition.
ISB iDiya is a nationwide competition for working professionals interested in setting up ventures that have the potential to create social impact and touch many lives. Leading venture capitalists and other institutions, including NABARD, were collectively ready to invest Rs.1,725 crore to fund the business ventures. During the six-day IDiya bootcamp, top 11 teams would be mentored on various facets of business.
Mr. Mehta said while camps over the years were held in 26 countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, for providing Jaipur Foot, they could not be organised in the United States because of regulatory issues as the Food and Drug Administration’s approval was needed in that country. He said that a former Pakistani soldier, who lost both his legs during the Kargil war, was among the beneficiaries. The Jaipur Foot was quite cheap and costs only $ 20 as against more than $10,000 in the USA.
He said the NGO would take two mobile vans without any police or army help to naxalite-affected areas in Chattisgarh in February next for fitting Jaipur Foot to the people who lost their limbs.
Earlier, delivering the key note address, he said BMVSS on an average was supplying 20,000 limbs each year free of charge and regretted that only 300 limbs were being fitted in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He cautioned the budding social entrepreneurs against the danger of not-for-profit organisations allowing commerce to dominate social aspects.
Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal lauded the competing teams to help society through their projects.
ISB’s Deputy Dean , Deepak Chandra also spoke.
The Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti is all set to come out with a Jaipur Hand in collaboration with Stanford University, USA.
