A Lamp That Is Also A Stove : L A N S T O V E

[JANASENA]

 

Is it a stove or a lamp? "It is actually both," says engineer-inventor Anil Rajvanshi, developer of a dual purpose device that simultaneously solves the twin problem of cooking and lighting in rural homes that do not have electricity.

A lantern, which burns kerosene to produce bright light and also doubles up as a cooking stove, is invention from Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) at Phaltan in Maharashtra, a non-profit organisation that undertakes research in agriculture, renewable energy, animal husbandry and sustainable development.

"It is a matter of shame that even 67 years after independence, about 60% of rural population in India has no electricity and they use ancient kerosene lanterns for lighting. This hybrid device 'lanstove' (lantern combined with cook stove) provides excellent light and cooks a complete meal of rice, dal and vegetables for a family of five and boils 10 litres of water for drinking - all in four hours. It is smokeless, noiseless and emits no smell or soot unlike regular kerosene lanterns or stoves. Also because of the excellent combustion kerosene becomes a very clean fuel for rural households - almost equivalent to LPG." says NARI director Rajvanshi.

[Maximus]