At Anandnagar MPS School in Kurla, a group of six determined students—Jigar Kushwaha, Ataulmustafa Bagvan, Aayushi Yadav, Mosin Khan, Sonakshi Gupta, and Aayush Gupta- set out to solve a challenge that many households in Mumbai face daily. In a city where space is at a premium, kitchens in smaller homes are often cramped, cluttered, and difficult to navigate. They watched their mothers struggle in these confined spaces, constantly shifting utensils and ingredients to make room to cook. With keen observation and a deep sense of empathy, they identified a real-world problem that affected countless families and sought to design a solution that was both practical and sustainable.
Their inspiration came from something simple yet highly functional—the pulley clothesline system commonly used to dry laundry. If clothes could be lifted and stored conveniently in the air, why not kitchen storage? This thought sparked the idea of a pulley-operated kitchen shelf, which would allow users to store essential cooking items above the stove and lower them effortlessly when needed. This innovation would not only optimise space but also enhance accessibility for home cooks, particularly in small households where every inch matters.
Determined to bring their idea to life, the team embarked on an iterative process of design and prototyping. Their vision was to create a multi-compartment shelf that could accommodate a variety of kitchen essentials, from crockery and spices to oil bottles and rolling pins. The pulley mechanism would ensure a smooth, controlled movement, preventing spills or breakages. Through multiple trials, they worked to perfect the balance and stability of the shelf, ensuring that weight distribution was even, so that it would not tilt dangerously when in use.
Sustainability played a crucial role in their thought process. Recognising that pulley systems were already widely used, they saw an opportunity to repurpose an existing mechanism in a new and meaningful way. They considered materials that would be durable, lightweight, and cost-effective. After testing various options, they settled on acrylic for its transparency, allowing users to easily see what was stored on the shelf, regardless of its height. This choice not only improved usability but also added a sleek, modern touch to their innovation.
Bringing this idea to reality was not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was determining the optimal size of the shelf—large enough to be useful but compact enough to fit within a typical Mumbai kitchen. They also had to fine-tune the pulley mechanism to ensure that it was smooth, reliable, and safe. Understanding the physics behind weight distribution was another critical aspect, as an imbalanced shelf could lead to accidents, causing further inconvenience rather than solving the problem.
Despite these challenges, their persistence and teamwork led them to a viable and efficient design. The final prototype demonstrated how their pulley shelf could revolutionise small kitchen spaces by providing additional storage without sacrificing accessibility. By offering a simple yet effective way to keep the kitchen organised, their project proved to be more than just an academic exercise—it was a tangible solution that could improve daily life for many families.
This initiative was more than just a display of creativity; it was a testament to the students’ ability to observe, empathise, and innovate. Their journey exemplifies how young minds, when given the right platform, can address everyday struggles with thoughtful and practical solutions. By taking inspiration from their own homes and communities, they showcased how innovation does not always have to be complex or technology-driven—it can be as simple as rethinking existing ideas and applying them in new contexts.
The ‘Kitchen Shelf on a Pulley’ project is a shining example of how students can combine empathy, ingenuity, and perseverance to create solutions that matter. Their design not only reimagines space utilisation in small homes but also empowers those who work tirelessly in the kitchen every day. Through their efforts, they have demonstrated that innovation is not about grand inventions—it is about making life better, one simple idea at a time.
The project was made possible with the support of MuSo and Standard Chartered, who played a crucial role in guiding and mentoring the students. By providing resources, encouragement, and a platform for innovation, they empowered these young minds to think beyond conventional solutions and see themselves as changemakers of the future. The idea was to not only foster and nurture creativity and critical thinking, but also instil confidence in these children, showing them that their ideas can create real impact.
