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Competition

Samasya Khoj


Identify Problems. Inspire Innovation.
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Problem ID: 1000595
🧠 Problem Title: Heat Poverty Trap: Why India’s Outdoor Workers are Risking Their Lives for a Daily Wage.
📝 Problem Description

While walking through the streets of my town during the peak of summer, I noticed something deeply unfair. While people like me can retreat into rooms with fans or AC when the temperature hits 45°C, thousands of others have no choice but to stay outside.I’ve observed delivery boys, thela owners, and farmers working under a sun so hot it feels lethal. This isn’t just uncomfortable; it is life-threatening. I’ve seen workers nearly faint from dizziness—what doctors call "Heat Syncope"—which is incredibly dangerous when you are driving a rickshaw or a bike in heavy traffic. Prolonged exposure leads to heatstroke and severe dehydration, which can be fatal.There is also a massive financial cost. These workers often have to stop working between 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM just to survive the heat. This means they lose about 4-5 hours of work every single day. For someone earning a daily wage, losing 40% of their income means they can’t afford proper food or medicine for their families.The real problem is that almost all "cooling" solutions today are made for people sitting in one spot. Umbrellas are hard to use when you need your hands to work, and high-tech cooling vests are way too expensive for a common worker. There is a total lack of affordable, portable, and hands-free cooling for the people who keep our cities running.

⚡ Impact
Hundreds and more
🌍 Impact Area
Urban
📊 Scope
National
📌 Place
In public
⏱ Occurrence
Frequently
⚠ Life Risk
Yes
💰 Financial Loss
Lakhs or more

👤 Name
Shaswat Jha
🎓 Class
8
📍 State
Bihar