U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson today spotlighted the importance of deepening and broadening the U.S.-India bilateral relationship, during a visit to Jaipur Foot, the world’s largest prosthetic limb fitting organization. Bryson is the first U.S. Commerce Secretary to visit Jaipur, demonstrating America’s strong commitment to fostering partnerships throughout India.
Jaipur Foot is an example of low-cost engineering and a successful Indian business model. There are many Indian firms that have learned to conduct R&D in highly resource-constrained environments and who have found ways to use locally appropriate technology for humanitarian purposes. This has resulted in the organization's ability to innovatively manufacture prostheses with locally available technologies for $20-$45 when a device with a very similar function can cost thousands of dollars in the West.
Jaipur Foot was established by D.R. Mehta in 1975, with the objective of providing mobility and dignity to the disabled. Jaipur Foot provides artificial limbs, calipers, wheelchairs, hand-paddled tricycles, crutches and related aids and appliances to about 65,000 disabled in a year.
Secretary Bryson is leading 16 U.S. companies on a business development mission in India to advocate for U.S. export opportunities in India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure sector, and to promote investment opportunities in America – both key priorities of the Obama Administration.
The mission kicked-off in New Delhi on March 25, and the delegation will travel to Mumbai after wrapping up the visit to Jaipur.
Learn more about the India trade mission.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
