Thiruvananthapuram: E. C. Thomas, a former journalist and an associate director of Aravindan’s films who later turned into a science innovator, has won the National Innovation Contest in engineering conducted by Technopark for his device on mosquito eradication titled ‘Take it Eazzy’.
The product, based on basic science works on atmospheric pressure, gravity and buoyancy, has enabled 66-year- old Thomas to win Rs 50, 000, beating scores of applicants across the country.
Until last year, the National Innovation Contest was competed in by engineering college students, which has now been changed to an open category. Thomas, who is usually referred to by his family and friends as ‘E. C’, referring to his initials, did not have to think twice before naming his product, ‘Take it Eazzy’.
His perseverance has finally paid off as he has been relentlessly working on his dream science project for the last seven years. Though Thomas tried for a grant from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment Development Council, his proposal was rejected.
“My device works on a tray of water with different chambers. It is a ‘fit and forget’ device and day-to-day care is not required. I have already got the patent for my product four years ago. Though five years back Godrej Company wanted to take care of the marketing side, I could not pursue it seriously due to my journalistic commitments with PTI TV. But now Godrej will take over the marketing very soon”, said Thomas, who was also the associate director of most of Aravindan’s films and the artist of Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s plays like Marattam.
Thomas doesn’t have any science or academic background. He opines that one mosquito coil is equivalent to passive smoking of 100 cigarettes a day. His ‘Take it Eazzy’ product is devoid of any chemicals.
The product is priced between Rs 5, 000 and Rs 75, 000 depending on the ingredients being used. The cash award and memento was handed over to Thomas by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Saturday.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130805/news-current-affairs/article/mosquitoes-now-have-%E2%80%98take-it-eazzy%E2%80%99
His perseverance has finally paid off as he has been relentlessly working on his dream science project for the last seven years. Though Thomas tried for a grant from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment Development Council, his proposal was rejected.
“My device works on a tray of water with different chambers. It is a ‘fit and forget’ device and day-to-day care is not required. I have already got the patent for my product four years ago. Though five years back Godrej Company wanted to take care of the marketing side, I could not pursue it seriously due to my journalistic commitments with PTI TV. But now Godrej will take over the marketing very soon”, said Thomas, who was also the associate director of most of Aravindan’s films and the artist of Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s plays like Marattam.
Thomas doesn’t have any science or academic background. He opines that one mosquito coil is equivalent to passive smoking of 100 cigarettes a day. His ‘Take it Eazzy’ product is devoid of any chemicals.
The product is priced between Rs 5, 000 and Rs 75, 000 depending on the ingredients being used. The cash award and memento was handed over to Thomas by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Saturday.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130805/news-current-affairs/article/mosquitoes-now-have-%E2%80%98take-it-eazzy%E2%80%99