Imagine carrying a purse-sized, subtle baton that packs the ability to fight off any attacker.
Thanks to an Indian doctor named Pavan Kohli, that might soon be a reality. Kohli recently unveiled a self-protection stick that's a first step toward a practical, streamlined self-defense tool.
The device, called Samiidha Bhavani after a Hindu goddess of bravery, contains a noisemaker, a GPS locator, a flashlight and more.
And it's all in the name of protecting women against would-be assailants.
Kohli, who works as an orthopedist, designed the baton as a practical companion to everyday life.
Instead of seeming like a weapon, the 9-inch-long Samiidha Bhavani fits into a tote bag and acts as an everyday companion.
According to The Wall Street Journal, it contains extra buttons and a sewing kit, as well as vermilion for Indian married women to powder their hair.
An initial design even included a makeup kit, to make the tool a carry-all for both beauty and protection.
And at just 3 pounds, the baton isn't any heavier than your gym bag, making it a step in the right direction for personal defense products.
Although The Wall Street Journal reports Kohli's stick currently costs him just under $80 (5,000 rupees) to manufacture, he hopes to bring the customer price down to an affordable $16 (1,000 rupees).
The Samiidha Bhavani also boasts a Swiss Army knife, extendable length that can stretch over 2 feet, a non-lethal taser and pepper spray.
The doctor hopes to make his multipurpose device available at police stations and healthy-living vendors.
Kohli told press the baton is "a gift from India to women across the globe for their empowerment, and to live with dignity."
Citations: The Latest Solution for Womenu2019s Safety in India: The Selfie-Defense Stick (Wall Street Journal)
