Could 'Garuda Kavach' be the Life-saving Helmet Developed by Varanasi School Students?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Innovative design: The Garuda Kavach helmet integrates advanced technology for road safety.
- Instant notifications: The helmet alerts families immediately during emergencies.
- Indigenous production: Constructed using local technology and components.
- Cost-effective: Priced at about Rs 10,000, making it accessible.
- Inspiration from mythology: The name reflects cultural significance.
Varanasi, Oct 10 (NationPress) In light of the increasing incidents of road accidents and casualties throughout the nation, students from a private school in Lohta, Varanasi, have engineered an ingenious and potentially life-preserving device. They have developed a sophisticated helmet named "Garuda Kavach", aimed at aiding individuals during the crucial moments following a road mishap.
The standout feature of this helmet is its integrated sensor system. In the event of a collision, if immediate assistance is not available, the sensor activates automatically. It dispatches an emergency call, message, and real-time location to the rider’s family, ensuring prompt help and enhancing survival chances.
Conceived in just one month, this helmet is constructed wholly with indigenous technology and Indian-made components, with an estimated price of around Rs 10,000.
The presence of the 'Make in India' emblem on the helmet emphasizes the technological prowess and self-sufficiency of India's youth, resonating with the government's initiative for innovation and local production.
In an interview with IANS, Sujay Chakraborty, the Academic Director of the school, remarked, “The students have designed a helmet featuring a built-in sensor. In the event of an accident, the family receives immediate notification of the incident and the rider’s whereabouts. This significantly boosts survival rates. We chose the name Garuda Kavach inspired by the use of mythological terms by the Modi government, which motivated the students.”
Riyashi Tiwari, one of the young innovators, shared, “We developed this helmet in response to the escalating number of accidents. With this helmet, the family is instantly notified whenever an accident occurs.”
Rajiv, another student contributor to the project, added, “With the rise in deaths from road accidents, we created this device. The helmet features Bluetooth and a sensor that enables families to track the rider’s live location.”
The necessity for such innovations is underscored by troubling national statistics. The recently published Road Accidents in India 2023 report by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways indicates that two-wheeler riders represent the largest percentage of road fatalities—45 percent or 77,539 deaths. Among these, 27,539 were riders themselves.
Cars and taxis were the second-largest contributors to road deaths, followed by trucks. Notably, one-fourth of all pedestrians and cyclists who lost their lives in 2023 were involved in accidents with two-wheelers, emphasizing the escalating risks faced by non-motorized road users.