At a time when social distancing is the new normal, circumstances demand inventions that fit with the post-pandemic life and not make people apprehensive.??
That is exactly what an Indian school drop-out has done. He has just gone on to built a motorbike with a one-meter gap between the rider and the passenger, keeping in mind the importance of social distancing in the coronavirus pandemic.
Partha Saha, 39, bought an old bike from a scrap dealer, removed the engine and cut the machine in two before affixing a rod slightly longer than a meter to connect the wheels.
Saha, a resident of northeast state of Tripura, was quoted telling AFP, "Now I can ride with my eight-year-old daughter while maintaining a safe distance."?
Like other countries, the Indian government has imposed a nationwide lockdown which has been extended until May 18, and has urged citizens to practice social distancing to curb the spread of the virus.
When the country extended its lockdown last until at least May 3, Saha realized the battle against the coronavirus might not be over any time soon.
He used up his meager savings to make the vehicle, which he plans to use to ferry his daughter to and from school once the restrictions are lifted.
His new bike runs on battery power and has a top speed of 40 kilometres per hour.?It takes three hours to charge the battery, which allows the bike to travel 80 kilometres, Saha told AFP.
"The cost of charging it once comes to about 10 rupees, he added.
?His creative invention has also drawn praise from state's chief minister Biplab Deb.
"Necessity is the mother of invention! I congratulate Partha Saha... for making a unique motorcycle to create awareness during COVID-19 pandemic," Deb tweeted.
Well, motorbikes like these might be the order of the day once the lowdown is eased across India.