The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, in collaboration with IIT Patna, has launched a new electronic device named “Novel Innovative Technological Intervention for Safety of Human lives” (NITISH). This device provides information on disasters such as earthquakes, floods, heatwaves, and cold waves. Dr. Uday Kant, Vice Chairman of the Disaster Management Authority, assures that the NITISH pendant is 100% secure and, with the assistance of Bihar Weather Service, will provide timely warnings.
The unique feature of the NITISH pendant is its ability to recharge from the body’s energy and heat. When a disaster warning is detected, the pendant alerts the wearer through voice messages, vibrations, and a color change from green to red. The pendant continues to provide warnings until manually switched off. Waterproof and designed to be worn around the neck or on the arm, the NITISH pendant aims to offer a compact safety solution.
Compared to the previous “Indravajra” app, which provided storm warnings, NITISH goes beyond, covering a range of disasters and addressing challenges faced by agricultural workers in remote areas. The device, developed by IIT Patna’s Computer Science department, is compact and lightweight, resembling a locket or talisman, measuring 47mm x 48mm x 16mm and weighing only 43 grams.
NITISH pendant is claimed to be 100% secure, with IIT Patna planning to produce around 100,000 units. The device’s patent will be filed jointly by the Disaster Management Authority and IIT Patna. The estimated cost of the NITISH pendant is around Rs. 1000, and efforts are being made to design it locally, potentially reducing the cost by approximately 20%.
IIT Patna and Bihar State Disaster Management Authority have collaborated under the MOU to produce the NITISH pendant in their own laboratories, with the aim of addressing disaster management needs and making the device more accessible to the public.
