Hackathon throws up new ideas for safe street food

Would you like fresh chutney while eating street food? This could soon become a reality as a team of three have come up with this idea at the Waste Hackathon.

Under the 3C Concept — the team of professionals came up with an idea where fresh chutney is prepared and sold to street vendors. “Normally, vendors prepare chutney in the morning and sell it till late in the evening. Chutneys become stale and to increase its quantity, non-potable water is added. Hence, we thought this can be rectified with this initiative,” said T M Hanumantharaya, a vendor from Jalahalli and a participant at the second edition of the Waste Hackathon.

Explaining the idea, Dr Nilima Kadambe, surgeon and Hanumantharaya’s partner said, “We will set up a stall and make fresh chutneys and supply it to vendors who can even order customised chutneys.”

The 3C Concept was the first runner-up at the four-day-long hackathon titled “Reimagine Waste”.  It was organised by Waste Impact and Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing (CPDM), IISc. Corporate firms, industries, pourakarmikas, street vendors, students, professionals and experts participated.

SteamIt idea bagged the first place. The team of five, comprising a vendor, member of CPDM and students, created a device which will steam clean utensils instead of putting them in a water bucket for washing.

Gayatri Handorahal, managing trustee of Waste Impact Trust said the idea of the hackathon was to find solutions on how to manage waste. The theme this year was street vendors. “There were 175 participants where 16 teams offered 60 problem pitches and 19 solutions. People have 45 days to conceptualise the idea and make it a reality,” she said.