A state in southern India is running a competition for designers to produce an "air-conditioned" jacket for outdoor labourers with prize money of more than $20,000 up for grabs.
Local authorities in Kerala have challenged individuals and research organisations to produce a prototype cooling jacket that could be used by workers who toil in hot weather.
"If it is successful, then it is bound to increase their efficiency as they will be in an air-conditioned environment," a senior official from the industries department, T. Balakrishnan, said.
He said 10 viable ideas would be selected by an expert panel, with each inventor then given 100,000 rupees ($2,200) to develop the concept.
"The winner will be awarded with one million Indian rupees ($22,000) and monetary assistance will be given by the state to manufacture the prototype," he said.
Kerala, a southern agricultural state famed for laid-back tourism and its tropical beaches, is not subjected to the extreme dry heat known on the plains of northern India.
Deaths from sunstroke are reported each summer in India, when temperatures can push 50 degrees Centigrade (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
Millions of workers from Kerala also leave their homeland to work in the furnace-like temperatures of the Gulf, often in the construction industry.
"I think this cooling jacket will be a gift for our men working overseas," Balakrishnan said.
It is not the first time Kerala has invited inventors to help with a problem.
Last year, officials announced a six-month competition for engineers to design a mechanical coconut plucker.
Kerala has 7.9 million hectares (20 million acres) of coconut tree plantations and produced a massive 5.6 billion coconuts in 2007-08. Some 3.5 million families are involved directly or indirectly in the industry.
But socio-economic changes linked to economic growth, as well as the risks involved in climbing trees up to 30 metres (100 feet) high, mean the industry is struggling to find people to climb the trees and pluck them.
The response to the contest was remarkable, Balakrishnan said, but none of the proposed machines has been successful.
M.M. Lawrence of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions welcomed the cool jackets idea.
"The concept is innovative and worker friendly," he said.
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How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
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Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27