Humble rickshaws to get designer makeover for Games (With images)-May 19, 2010

Humble rickshaws to get designer makeover for Games (With images)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 1:37:09 PM by IANS ( Leave a comment )

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Some will use antique gramophones, others the colours of Bollywood or inspiration from the clean lines of a paper plane… designer cycle rickshaws could be plying at the Commonwealth Games village if things go according to plan.
“Two months ago we had made a proposal to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to run these rickshaws on Delhi streets and they are seriously considering it. It would also be a learning experience for the students to work with their mentors,” said Sunil Sethi, president of the Fashion Designer Council of India (FDCI).

To begin with, 50 rickshaws would be launched for players to go from point to point in the sprawling 63.5 hectare Games village, which has 34 towers with 1,168 flats. The numbers could increase if the organisers gives the green signal.

“Rickshaws are a convenient mode of transport. Once we get the approval, we will be donating them to the real rickshaw pullers with the help of SRCC-SIFE (a joint venture between Shri Ram College of Commerce and an international NGO Student In Free Enterprise). There is no commercial aspect attached to it,” Sethi told IANS.

The FDCI has collaborated with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for the project. Nearly 100 NIFT students will be working with 50 designers to create the rickshaws ahead of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

On Tuesday, Sethi unveiled four such rickshaws designed by Rajesh Pratap Singh, Samanth Chauhan, Nitin Bal Chauhan and designer duo Rahul-Gunjan at NIFT’s annual event Fashionova 2010.

Said Nitin about his creation: “My rickshaw is inspired by paper planes that we use to make during our school days. It reflects that India is going through future with economic growth, which is very positive right now.”

Samanth’s rickshaw is called “Victoria on Wheels” and he took inspiration from the colonial period. The highlights of his creation were gramophones and lamp-shades.

Talking about the concept Samanth told IANS, “Rickshaws have always been a part of our heritage. Foreigners are crazy about it and this is our way to carry forward are heritage.”

Rahul-Gunjan sought inspiration from Bollywood.