Needa: In Chevalla, over 400 find shade under this new headgear

Hyderabad: "Needa", a wearable headgear that provides shade, leaving both hands free to work, has made its way onto the heads of over 400 people in Telangana's Chevalla town in Rangareddy.

Needa is a Telugu word that translates to shade.

The headgears have been distributed to farmers, municipal workers, women working in fields, tractor drivers, bullock cart drivers, and others.

The patented headgears were distributed by Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy. It has been designed and patented by his company Stephan Designs and Engineering. It has been designed keeping in mind the rising temperature in the state and the many cases of sunstroke in the country.

"We began working on this idea in March. This is the final prototype. We had to meticulously design it keeping in mind functionality, aesthetics, and comfort," Mr. Vishweshwar said. He added that there were some initial prototypes that people didn't want to wear as they felt like they'd be laughed at. "It took more than 25 prototypes to convert an idea into a practical working model. It took two months to develop it," he said.

"But everyone is happy with the current prototype. Even though summer is almost coming to an end, we will be distributing more Needa headgears," he added.

Needa works extremely well under the sun in hot still summer. Though it can be used in light drizzles it is not meant to protect a person from rain. Further, if it is too windy, one has to hold it with one's hands.

"The primary idea was to make a hat or headgear that can stay put without people having to adjust it or using their hands. The headgear also protects people's back from the sun when they bend down to work," Mr. Visheweshwar said.

When the team gave the headgear to a bullock-cart driver, he was thrilled. He asked, "Did you make it especially for me?"

The team said, "Yes, we made it especially for you." He did not take it off until he reached home.