He describes it as a “gift” to “women of the world.”

The Samiidha Bhavani is a nine-inch metal rod containing a sewing kit, some buttons, a mirror, a pinch of vermillion, pepper spray, a stun gun, a pen knife, and a rape siren.

Pavan Kohli, a Pune-based doctor, collaborated with experts from four other countries (the UK, Germany, Japan, and Singapore) to invent this women's safety device. After releasing its prototype on Sunday, Kohli told the Wall Street Journal that it is a "multi-purpose device" intended to help working women.

WSJ / Via blogs.wsj.com

The nine-inch rod extends up to a whopping two feet, three inches and weighs 3.3 pounds (or 1.5 kilograms). Kohli described it as "anything [that] a woman wants for her dignity."

WSJ / Via blogs.wsj.com

He also called it a "gift [from] India to women of the world." The device includes a button that, when pushed, flashes a blinding light and sets off a siren.

This is to ward off attackers and alert anybody in the vicinity that its wielder is endangered. Another button triggers a pepper spray. The stick is also able to send messages and its GPS location to up to five recipients, and make one voice call.

WSJ / Via blogs.wsj.com

According to the WSJ, the original design included a makeup kit. Sadly, the final version only includes a sewing kit, some buttons, and some vermillion.

In Indian cultures (primarily amongst Hindus), women wear vermillion along the parting in their hair as a symbol of being married. It is also sometimes worn on the forehead, particularly on religious occasions, as a sign of devotion.

WSJ / Via blogs.wsj.com

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