Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) A machine for making low-cost sanitary napkins, an eco-friendly refrigerator, a clay cooker and a solar dryer - these are some of the cheap and innovative products being displayed at a Tech Expo here and can be easily replicated in Africa.

Running parallel to the India-Africa Science and Technology Ministers Conference in the capital, the Tech Expo is drawing a large number of African delegates and minsters who have shown interest in transfer of technical know-how to provide similar products in the African Union.

The two-day exposition showcases some of the relevant Indian technologies and innovative products both at the grassroots and advanced levels across the sectoral spread.

“The products displayed here are very impressive. Products like cloth-making machine, low cost sanitary napkins and preservation techniques based on simple principles are very important for the sustainability of people in villages,” Nadia Eskander Zakhary, chair of the African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology, told IANS.

The participating institutions include Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science and Technology (DST), FICCI and the National Innovation Foundation.

Solomon Ticharwa Musaka, counselor in the Zimbabwe embassy here, said that country’s vice president will be visiting India in mid-March and is likely to be introduced to the sanitary napkin-making machine.

“We are interested in the product as sanitary napkins are a basic requirement for women. The technology displayed here makes available sanitary napkins at an affordable price of Rs.1 per piece,” Musaka told IANS.

Developed by A. Muruganantham, a school dropout from Tamil Nadu, the technology has been providing sustainable livelihood to women in rural areas in 23 states across the country.

“We are ready to provide the technical know-how to Africa and many countries has shown interest. I don’t want to sell the product but would provide the technology which can be used for manufacturing the machines,” said Muruganantham.

Philippe Kuhutama Mawoko, director, African Observatory for Science Technology and Innovation (AOSTI) said that the products showcased in the exposition can be tailor-made for Africa.

“All the products displayed here can be made locally if we get the technology. So we are looking forward to cooperation in the transfer of technical know-how,” he said.