DOing More Than Dreaming! The Lenovo Do Network Top TenFinalistsare Announced
The time has almost come! Lenovo Doers have travelled the thrilling three-month journey of the Do Network and done more than just dream about making a difference to this country. The passionate doers, from the top ten projects in India, have brainstormed, planned and created, have battled it out against their country’s best budding brains to bring their ideas to life.
During their endeavours to address pressing social needs, they were guided and nurtured by the likes of Rajan Anandan (MD, Google India), Mahesh Murthy (Managing Partner, Seedfund), Kishore AK(CEO & Co-Founder, Althea system), Arvir C Sud (Retired Scientist G & Lead Auditor, ISO 9000, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Defence Research & Development Organisation), Maxwell Pereira (CEO, Maxwell Pereira Advisors Pvt Ltd. & ex-IPS officer), Prof. Shiva Prasad (Dean- Academics, IIT Bombay) and Shantanu Prakash (Chairman & MD Educomp solutions, Founder and Managing Trustee of the Learning Leadership Foundation (LLF)).
The Doers have taken up projects like a gravity assisted micro hydroelectric project, alternate power systems project, classroom in the box, to name a few, to create a strong social impact.
After an intense voting process, the top ten projects are now one step closer to winning the USD 25,000 grant to help complete their vision.
A quick look at the Lenovo Do Network finalists
A Gravity Assisted Micro Hydroelectric Project
This is the pet project of Dilip James, who is based out of Ootacamund, India. The project will attempt to lift 4500 litres of water from a holding tank at ground level, to an overhead tank. This tank will be at a height of 7m to 9m. This process of moving the water will take less than 1 minute. Then the water will be released through a pipe connected to a turbine generator, in order to generate electricity. Finally the water will flow back to the holding tank. Tests have shown that it is possible to generate 2.5 KW of electricity by this process 24x7.
Alternate Power Systems
This project, which is the brainchild of Amol Chaphekar of Pune, India, plans to tap energy generated during movement of automobiles and use that by converting it to a 230V electrical energy supply. Currently these kits will be installed in two-wheelers and trials will be conducted. Electricity generated through this means can be used for home appliances, home lighting, bus depots, park and recreational area lights, etc.
Baksha
Baksha is a mobile classroom, conceptualized by Jayshil Patel of Baroda, India. His design will make a classroom visible, sharable and accessible. Jayshil believes that his design will bring fresh experiences and connect people, environment, resources and concepts.
CAR-COM
This innovative idea has the potential to reduce traffic congestion on Indian roads. Ishan Mishra of Bhilai, India plans to connect vehicles on Indian roads to a main computer and pass data to and fro. This will allow smoother control of traffic lights. Besides improving the traffic situation, it will also reduce fuel usage.
Dream Kampus
Dream Kampus is an education networking platform. Mahendra K of Chennai, India, who came up with this idea says that the motto of Dream Kampus is “Innovate. Educate. Access Anywhere. Educate Everyone.” This platform will allow anyone to teach a group of students. It will make education cheap and connect educational institutes, at every level, with each other.
EduBee
Susanta Saren of Bhubaneshwar, India, the man behind EduBee, hopes to make the Indian education system suitable for the 21st century dynamics. Internet has become an important part of an average Indian student and EduBee will integrate this aspect into education.
EduBliss
EduBliss will take education to those children who cannot afford fancy educational tools, like smartphones and tablets. An EduBliss center will operate in a school which is a model school in that area, covering a 3 km radius. From a single center 15-20 neighbouring schools will be covered. EduBliss is an initiative by Rahul Bhardwaj of Mumbai, India.
India Engineered
Krishna Raj S R is from Cochin, India, and he started the Indian Engineered initiative, which wants to bridge the gap between engineering professionals and students. In March, 2012 the website will be launched. It will try to provide support to engineering students from professionals. Currently they are looking for sponsors.
Keep Safe Distance
This is Amol Chaphekar’s second initiative. KSD will warn drivers when they are too close to the vehicle in front of them. A message which reads "You are Too Close to My Car", will pop-up when the vehicle is too close.
The Student Movement
The Student Movement, initiated by Shaaz Ahmed of Mumbai, India, also hopes to change the Indian education system. He is advocating a holistic educational system, which allows students to learn by doing and by being part of team activities and projects. This gives more room for creativity.