Coconut climber - Grassroot Innovation

I visited Kerala last month. I was amazed with numerous coconut trees grown at all around places. Though it was good scene to look at, I was overwhelemed as how tough it would be to climb the tree and pull out coconuts from all these trees that is grown closely. It needs huge labour support and would take more time...huff!

I was more happy when I came to know a grassroot innovation came up from a keralite farmer to ease the climbing process. He has innovated a mechanical device to climb up the cocunut tree instantly. It has speeden up their time to climb with safety. He proudly shares his technology by addressing himself as a spiderman!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9nNmgIAF8

nau - unusual business

I recently visited an excellent jazzy site nau.com. NAU refers to "welcome" in Maori tribe word (New Zealand). The site is colourful. They do apparel business differently. They make dresses with sustainable materials. They are challenging the existing paradigm of dressing and seems to do well. They are partnered with many society or environment oriented organization. They say that thay do unusual business. They share some percentage of their profits to non-profits.