Charu Monga, professor at IIT Guwahati, shares how she created the solar-powered waterproof backpacks ‘Jugnu’, using recycled plastic.
This article has been sponsored by MG Motor India.
“I have always admired the remarkable display of teamwork, traditions and thoughtful approach that communities in the Northeast display when they come together to help each other,” says Charu Monga, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. She adds, “The traditions they follow, the way they find answers to everyday problems — there’s a design to it.”
In a bid to explore how these principles can be combined with emerging technologies, she regularly conducts workshops to interact with children to develop innovative mindsets. During one such interaction, Charu recalls a conversation with a young boy, who recounted the difficulties the children face due to an early sunset and infrequent power supply. These factors were a hindrance to their playtime, as well as…