Smart Bucket Challenge: IIT-B students' version of the viral campaign

Taking a cue from the 'ice bucket challenge', which has gone viral across the world, students of IIT Bombay launched a 'smart bucket challenge' on Sunday. It addresses the needs of the people of Hirewadi, a village near Karjat.

Under the campaign, the students distributed buckets of rajma, soyabean, dal, wheat, and utilities mainly consisting of a first aid kit, mosquito coils and colouring books, to the families of Hirewadi, a small hamlet comprising over 30 households. The students adopted the village a year ago and aim at developing it as a model village.

"The Smart Buckets were distributed in the entire village and villagers were taught the importance of a balanced and healthy living," says Sanchita Dhas, a student and one of the six members of TechGSR (Tech Geek Social Responsiblity), a socio-tech body of Abhyudyay, a social platform of the institute which is spearheading the campaign funded by a Mumbai-based RMT ready mix.

TechGSR aims at improving the standards of living of rural people and to create employment with resources available in their vicinity, keeping in mind their skill set.

Rhythima, a team member and final year student of mechanical engineering, says, "After several visits to the village this year, the team has identified some major problem statements, which include – develop an efficient smokeless chulha with household materials, create a pressure-based drip irrigation technique (which doesn't require electricity), water purification, catalytic natural manure-making device, effective household lighting, use of only one bulb to illuminate the entire house, a vehicle mobility solution for medical emergencies and model creation for handicraft-based sustainable enterprise."