Rediscovering Social Innovation


credit: Wikipedia

This article focuses on the desi Indian concept of paisa vasool - a value rich product. The product of focus is an innovative-ly engineered wheelchair. This wheelchair is robust enough to withstand all kinds of Indian terrain, with minimal upkeep cost. The designed wheelchair uses bicycle parts, for ease of repair, and ships as a CKD (completely knocked down) unit.

This wheelchair ships from a company in Pune who's mission is to not simply comply with corporate social responsibility (CSR), but to develop inspiring products fully steeped in functionality and value.

The article's author, Gouri Agtey Athale, puts forth the opinion that a world of corporate silos is damaging to innovation. Innovation can only spring forth by breaching these silos. With this newfound innovation, India can produce for India, thus minimizing demand for low-cost wheelchairs from China.

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Edited by: Michael Saunders

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