A British Sikh engineer behind an energy-efficient handbook washer for low-income teams around the globe, impressed by his volunteer work in India, has received Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Factors of Mild award.
Navjot Sawhney, who launched his Washing Machine Undertaking round 4 years in the past, was acknowledged for his invention of a hand crank machine that will also be operated in areas with out electrical energy.
Sawhney described the expertise of profitable Sunak’s award, which was introduced earlier this month, as “surreal” after the British Indian chief praised his “ingenuity and compassion”.
“You may have used your skilled engineering expertise to assist 1000’s of individuals around the globe who do not need entry to electrical washing machines,” Sunak wrote in a private letter to Sawhney.
“Your modern hand-crank washing machines give households the dignity of unpolluted garments, and the time you save them empowers many ladies who’ve been avoided training and employment,” he stated.
“I do know that your machines are additionally serving to Ukrainian households who needed to flee their houses and are presently residing in humanitarian support facilities. Your resourcefulness, compassion and dedication to enhancing the lives of others is an inspiration to all of us,” he added.
Sawhney, who was beforehand employed by Dyson, the tech firm recognized for vacuum cleaners, wished to make use of his expertise to enhance the standard of life in deprived communities.
Whereas volunteering in South India with Engineers With out Borders, he noticed the disproportionate burden ladies face when washing palms, which impressed him to develop a handbook, off-grid and totally sustainable machine that saves 50 % water in comparison with washing palms and 75 % on time.
He named his first machines after his neighbor Divya and the Washing Machine Undertaking was shaped to fabricate the “Divya” units on a bigger scale, with over 300 machines distributed to places reminiscent of refugee camps, faculties and orphanages around the globe.
“To win the Factors of Mild award and be acknowledged by the Prime Minister is an exceptional privilege,” stated London-born Sawhney.
“The Washing Machine Undertaking’s mission is to scale back the burden of unpaid labor, primarily by ladies and kids. I am so proud that restoring the dignity of unpolluted garments to those that hand wash them is getting the popularity it deserves.
“Thanks to our workforce, volunteers, companions and beneficiaries who work tirelessly day by day to make our mission successful,” he stated.
In response to Downing Road, its hand-cranked washing machines have helped over 1,000 households with out entry to an electrical machine in underdeveloped nations or refugee camps, together with humanitarian support facilities in Poland for Ukrainian refugees.
The Washing Machine Undertaking’s Go Fund Me crowdfunding marketing campaign has raised over £91,000 since July 2021.
Factors of Mild are excellent particular person volunteers and people who find themselves acknowledged as changemakers of their communities and are commonly honored by the UK Prime Minister for his or her inspiring work.