The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Of conventional medicine, non-conventional energy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 25, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Of conventional medicine, non-conventional energy

J. R. Shridharan

A `doctor' taps solar energy to run his ayurvedic mobile clinic

VIJAYAWADA: The makeshift tent near Raghavendra Theatre in Ayodhyanagar is an object evoking curiosity among passers-by. There is nothing exceptional about the tent as it houses a mobile ayurvedic `clinic' promising cure for a host of common ailments.

But the filament-woven board meant to derive power from solar energy is the centre of attraction to all. The `doctor' uses the power generated from the solar system to run his `clinic' in the nights.

Says Vaidyaraj, the `doctor': "We are nomads selling ayurvedic medicines all over the country.

It is difficult to run our business without electricity in the nights. The energy from solar system helps us run the show without any hindrance."

`God's gift'

Vaidyaraj uses the solar energy batteries from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. "The charging of batteries throughout the day would last for four hours," he added.

He said he faced many problems in various cities and towns due to non-availability of electricity. "I came to know about the solar energy from a friend and since then there is no dearth of power. Solar energy is God's gift to mankind," he emphasised.

y spending around Rs. 12,000, Vaidyaraj bought the solar gadgets to solve his electricity woes. A couple of bulbs inside and outside the tent get illuminated, thanks to nature helping the `doctor' interact with the `patients.' After a trip to Tamil Nadu, the mobile ayurvedic clinic will be in city for sometime before moving to other parts of the State.

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