Sheila Dixit, the chief minister of Delhi, has launched convertible rickshaws on October 23, 2012 in Delhi, which are promoted by Mother NGO, also known as ‘MNGO for Homeless – St Stephens Hospital’. The new convertible rickshaws have been launched specifically for homeless rickshaw pullers as it can be converted into a night shelter, where they can sleep as well. The new rickshaws have been named ‘Sukun’.
The students and staff members of St. Stephens College, University of Delhi, have conceived and designed the rickshaw. Dixit was very appreciative of the latest innovation, which would go a long way to put an end to rickshaw pullers sleeping on road dividers, and the footpath.
The new rickshaws have a bulb, a small ceiling fan, a mosquito net as well as a battery within the vehicle. The rickshaw will also have a small storage shelf to keep essential daily items. The new rickshaws have been launched on the basis of the micro financing principal, where the pullers will have to submit Rs. 50 on a daily basis, so that they can one day own the rickshaw themselves.
The chief minister also added that the government has also launched additional Jan Aahar and Aap Ki Rasoi centres, which provide meals to needy people at subsidized rates.
