Beware of assaulting women, as a Karnataka pharmacist has devised a protective ring to sting an attacker like a honey bee.
"The gruesome (Dec 16) gang-rape in New Delhi last year prompted me to devise a safety ring that can be worn by women on their right index finger to defend themselves against a potential rapist or killer," device inventor Imran Khan told IANS here.
What makes 30-year-old Khan's 'Sting Bee' silver ring a reliable armour for self defense is a liquid chemical compound (Capsaicin) in the head of the ring, which on releasing from its micro tank, weakens an offender and immobilises him from attacking or assaulting any girl or woman.
"As Capsaicin is four times hotter than Bhut Jolokia (pepper) and 300 times more spicy than Guntur red chillis (from Andhra Pradesh), it stimulates chemoreceptor nerve endings in skin and causes shooting pain for 45-60 minutes in an offender when injected into his body from the ring's micro tank using a micro pump and a micro needle," Khan said at a preview of the 'Sting Bee'.
A RFID (radio frequency identification) tag on top side and a dual lock mechanism prevents misuse of the ring, which can be made of any safe metal.
"The device is tamper-proof and easy to operate, as its micro tank with 0.2ml of the drug (Capsaicin) can be injected into even five persons at a time by unlocking it before an assault her and gives the wearer sufficient time to escape," Khan asserted.
He has tied up with a Mumbai-based jeweller to source the silver-made rings and with a city-based pharmacy to fill them with the drug concentrate.
"A silver-made ring will cost Rs.1,999, excluding tax (5 percent) and delivery charges. It will be made to order on payment and delivered in a week across the country through courier. The price will gradually come done once sales volume picks up," Khan observed.
Re-fill of the canister (micro-tank) with Capsaicin will cost Rs.1,000 per fill.
Khan has set up a "Save My Sister Charitable Trust" to educate women and promote the device for their safety and security against sexual harassment and anti-social elements. He plans to distribute the ring free to economically deprived women.
He has set up a call centre with a helpline number (080-6450-0112) to offer counselling to women in trouble and inform them about the safety ring.
"As most women wear finger ring(s) for tradition or fashion, wearing an additional ring for safety should not be problem or burden. A woman wearing our compact ring can feel secure even in an adverse situation and anywhere, anytime," Khan observed.
Admitting that a mere ring would not stop crimes against women, Khan said the device was one of the means to campaign sustainably against attacks on fair sex as perpetrators would think twice before causing any harm to them.
"Though our hoary culture has been to respect women and treat them equally, the growing numbers of crimes against them across the country, especially in major cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai have forced me do something to check atrocities against them and the ring will empower them to defend bravely," Khan said.
Khan has secured a license in fruit category to make use of the drug and filed for patenting his innovative device in India and abroad.
"We have assessed the long-term impact of the device through trials to ensure there are no side-effects on both user and receiver. Barring pain, itching, burning sensation and inflammation, the chemical used in the ring is not life-threatening," Khan noted.
The trust also plans to provide free legal service to victims of crimes by hiring about 6,000 lawyers in select cities and towns across the country.
"I have written to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) to support the campaign by providing by setting up a uniform three digit helpline number, which will be accessible to our women through the speed dial system on their mobiles," Khan added.
Hailing from Babbur village in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district, about 230km from Bangalore, Khan is a qualified pharmacist and has set up IOS (India Operating System) Group with diversified business interests, including hospitality.
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