The Hindu | KOCHI, July 4, 2016 |  G.Krishnakumar |

HELPING THE NEEDY:The ‘solar thattukada’ designed by the NSS volunteers at the Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam.

A ‘solar thattukada’ made using money collected from selling e-waste will soon light up the life of P.O. Peter in Kothamangalam. The eco-friendly cart was designed by the student volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS) at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, using the Rs.75,000 earned from the sale of nearly three tonnes of e-waste to the State-run Suchitwa Mission.

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“Mr. Peter is a member of the ward 29 of the Kothamangalam municipality, which was adopted by the college to implement various welfare programmes for the residents. He was unable to take up any hard labour after an accident while working as a painter.  His name was recommended by the ward councillor.  The solar cart would help Peter and his family lead a happy life,” said Jai M. Paul, programme coordinator of the National Service Scheme and faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering. The cart is being powered by solar panels, an inverter and a battery.  “The cart carries a fridge, mixie and LED bulbs – all running on solar power. Peter has plans to station the cart at some tourist locations in the region, where he could sell fresh fruit juice and soft drinks to the visitors. He can run the solar cart without incurring any additional expenses on it for at least four years,” said Mr. Paul. The cost of making the ‘solar thattukada’ was around Rs.75,000. Over 300 students of the M.A. College of Engineering had collected close to three tonnes of e-waste from the nook and corner of the Kothamangalam municipality as part of their efforts to make it an e-waste-free local body in April. They had visited 31 wards in the municipality and collected several e-waste materials that included tube lights, CFL lamps, washing machines, computer, picture tubes, ovens, refrigerators to name a few. –  Courtesy