"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
24 Nov 2022
Shrishti Sharma who even as a teenager was very much devoted to social causes was deeply affected by the Nirbhaya incident. While the nation took to the streets to protest, Shrishti had other things in mind. She has devised a safety tool for women that will keep them safe in cases of domestic violence, eve teasing, or rape.
The device, ‘Shakti’ can be worn as a bangle. When a user hits the button twice, Shrishti's wearable device for women electrifies an aggressor. Additionally, it texts your closest top three contacts and sends your most recent live location to them via WhatsApp.
Some companies have developed products for women’s safety, but Shrishti felt that they were only providing SOS services and cannot give immediate assistance to women against attackers. Also, when attacked, it is difficult to reach out for pepper spray.
So Shrishti designed ‘Shakti’ to work as a bracelet that women can wear every day. In the event of an attack, one only needs to come in contact with the attacker's skin for five seconds, double push the button, and a light electric current will be released to instantly disarm him while also sending an SOS message to emergency contacts.
The assailant will need 30 minutes to recover from the shock. That provides ample time for women to call for help or deal with the attacker. The device itself insulates the wearer, who is not harmed in any way.
The good news is that Shakti has got approval from the Women and Child Department, Government of Delhi, which will assist her in expanding the reach of Shakti. The product will be offered on both its website and other e-commerce platforms.