Sukoon: The new shelter on wheels

Published on:

23 Oct 2012, 1:26 pm

<p>There is a top light as well to help rickshaw pullers see inside the net during night <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br /><p> </p><br />

There is a top light as well to help rickshaw pullers see inside the net during night

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>The seat of the rickshaw can be converted into a comfortable bed at night. There are other benefits as well <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

The seat of the rickshaw can be converted into a comfortable bed at night. There are other benefits as well

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>The cost of the rickshaw is around Rs 16,000 which is almost double the cost of the existing rickshaw. The aim is have the rickshaw pullers own the rickshaw. "Most of the existing rickshaws are not owned by rickshaw pullers. They give a daily rent of around Rs 50 to a contractor for a substandard vehicle," says Amod Kumar of St Stephen's Hospital. We are working on a model where the rickshaw puller will have to deposit the same amount everyday to a micro-finance institute for around 18 months after which the rickshaw will be his," adds Kumar. The developers are also exploring the options of health and life insurance for the pullers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

The cost of the rickshaw is around Rs 16,000 which is almost double the cost of the existing rickshaw. The aim is have the rickshaw pullers own the rickshaw. "Most of the existing rickshaws are not owned by rickshaw pullers. They give a daily rent of around Rs 50 to a contractor for a substandard vehicle," says Amod Kumar of St Stephen's Hospital. We are working on a model where the rickshaw puller will have to deposit the same amount everyday to a micro-finance institute for around 18 months after which the rickshaw will be his," adds Kumar. The developers are also exploring the options of health and life insurance for the pullers.

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>The rickshaw has a front light also to help drive the vehicle during night<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

The rickshaw has a front light also to help drive the vehicle during night

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>A mosquito net has been provided to protect the rickshaw pullers from mosquitoes<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

A mosquito net has been provided to protect the rickshaw pullers from mosquitoes

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>To meet the energy needs, a solar panel has been put on the top to power all the electrical appliances<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p>

To meet the energy needs, a solar panel has been put on the top to power all the electrical appliances

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>There is also a fan and a mobile charger fitted<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by: </strong>Meeta Ahlawat</p>

There is also a fan and a mobile charger fitted

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>Chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, launched the new convertible cycle rickshaws on October 23. Called sukoon (peace) these rickshaws are jointly developed by mother non-profit of St Stephen’s Hospital, the physics department of St Stephen’s college and Deshardt solutions, a private firm</p><br /><p><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

Chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, launched the new convertible cycle rickshaws on October 23. Called sukoon (peace) these rickshaws are jointly developed by mother non-profit of St Stephen’s Hospital, the physics department of St Stephen’s college and Deshardt solutions, a private firm

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>A water bottle holder has been provided under the seat of the rickshaw puller<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

A water bottle holder has been provided under the seat of the rickshaw puller

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>Arrangements have been made to entertain them as well. The new rickshaw comes fitted with FM radio<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

Arrangements have been made to entertain them as well. The new rickshaw comes fitted with FM radio

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat

<p>The rickshaws offer a comfortable option to the pullers who generally sleep in the vehicle during the night because they are either homeless or want to save it from getting stolen<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Photo by: </strong>Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

The rickshaws offer a comfortable option to the pullers who generally sleep in the vehicle during the night because they are either homeless or want to save it from getting stolen

Photo by: Meeta Ahlawat