Bhadravati professor's smart fitness device gets patent from Government of India

A smart fitness device made by Prof. Dr Vishal Neelkanthrao Shinde, director of the physical education and sports department at Neelkanthrao Shinde Science and Arts College in Bhadravati, has been granted an official patent by the Patent Office of the Government of India. Dr Shinde is described as the first professor under Gondwana University, Gadchiroli, to receive such a patent in the field of sports. Gondwana University and the college recently felicitated him on the achievement.

Most fitness tools used in schools today measure only simple physical movement. They carry no personal health information about students, no cultural context and no facility to run offline without the internet. Dr Shinde designed the device after identifying this gap.

The device is fitted with modern motion sensors and body sensors, which accurately measure a student's movement, exercise intensity and heart rate. Based on the data, different fitness activities and games are created to suit the student's age, capacity and health.

Traditional Indian games and local game types are specially included. The device works both online and offline, so it can be used in remote areas far from the internet, and data syncs automatically later. Audio-visual instructions are given in the local language, so a teacher is not needed constantly. The device is light and sweatproof, and can be worn easily on the wrist, ankle or clothing. A compact case is also provided for storing and charging all the equipment.

Those present at the felicitation included Bhadravati Shikshan Sanstha president Dr Vivek Shinde, Prashantbhau Shinde, Chandrapur District Central Co-operative Bank president Ravindrabhau Shinde, society members Dr Vaibhav Shinde and Sonali Konde, college principal Dr L. S. Ladke, and Dr Anita Lokhande, Gondwana University's director of physical education and a principal. All congratulated Dr Shinde with bouquets and wished him well. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shinde credited his success to his mother, Smt. Nilimatai N. Shinde.

The achievement rests on Dr Shinde's 14-year academic career and long experience in sports. He holds an MA (Marathi), MA (Political Science), BPEd, MPEd and PhD (Physical Education) from Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. He is also a recognised PhD supervisor at Gondwana University.

Dr Shinde has passed the Vidarbha kabaddi referee examination and is vice-president of the Gondwana University Gadchiroli physical educators' association. He is a life member of Physical Education of India and the National Association of Physical Education and Sports Science. He is also executive joint secretary of Bhadravati Shikshan Sanstha, president of the Chandrapur District Taekwondo Association and president of Vidyarthi Yuvak Krida Mandal, Bhadravati.

He has a good record as an athlete as well. He won a silver medal at the 25th Maharashtra State Roller Skating Championship and holds a black belt in taekwondo. Under his guidance, 649 players have so far won a "colour coat" playing for Gondwana University at the All India University, West Zone and Ashwamedh sports competitions.

He has also done research in sports science. He has written six books, has 15 research papers published in journals and has taken part in more than 150 national and international seminars and workshops. He has also been honoured with the "Swami Savidanand Saraswati State-level Youth Award". Congratulations are coming in from across the district and the sports world.