Philosophy of ‘Hand Railing’

Philosophy of ‘Hand Railing’

Many a time a small thing around us does not attract our attention and goes un-noticed. So is the case with ‘Hand Railing’ as available in different walks of life. And the design and architect of so called ‘Hand Railing’ differs depending more upon its ambient than it’s utility. Ya, the utility is same everywhere. To support, help to support, or help to increase confidence while walking or help to increase confidence while climbing and so on. This utility of ‘Hand Railing’ is common irrespective of where it is affixed.

A ‘Hand Railing’ is a support. It is a sort of pillar of confidence with which one can walk or climb without fear. It can help a child to climb steps of foot-over Bridge. It can help youth to speed up his climbing on and getting down from foot-over Bridge. It is support by which an elderly and senior citizen can cross a bridge without anyone’s help. Ya….. that independence it imparts to senior citizen is so vitally important in today’s fast life. Otherwise living a dependent life, a senior citizen is never happy in asking for support of any nature but some time is in helpless situation. And if the ‘Hand Railing’ sane him or her from asking help then it is worth a million.

The question is, then why such an important life saving equipment, if I call it, has not got its due importance and respect?

A ‘Hand Railing’ is important equipment, life saving equipment, atleast sometime, does purpose of supporting a falling object, I mean a falling person.

Let us make an attempt to through some light on the characteristics that ‘Hand Railing’ should have. And what kind of philosophical thinking should go behind installation of a ‘Hand Railing’.

‘Hand Railing’ is equipment, a life saving equipment, serves the purpose of supporting a falling object. And the object which is as precious as life. Life, that of a child, youth, elderly or senior citizen. Oh….. My goodness…. What a responsibility it carries on its shoulders? Such a huge burden of responsibility if it needs to carry, it can’t be ordinary!! If it has to carry the load of those who solely and blindly depends upon it, it itself got to be strong enough to carry, right? Okay…… that makes one of its vital characteristic that it got to be strong.

Now the unfortunate part of ‘Hand Railing’ is that it can’t be just strong in itself, because it itself is supported on some other structure or flooring or steps or…… Hence second characteristic of ‘Hand Railing’ is that it has to have strong support to mount on. So to say, support to support ‘Hand Railing’ got to be strong.

Thirdly the outer surface of ‘Hand Railing’ has to have mixed blend of properties. It got to be smooth enough for it not to hurt the hands of person resting his or her hand on it at the same time it can’t be so smooth that and hand extended in an emergency slips on its surface.

Okay….. ‘Hand Railing’ should never have sharp edges since it is installed at public place and even a handicap might have access to it to depend.

My goodness….. A leg-handicap might fold his Crutches and take the support from ‘Hand Railing’!!! See the responsibilities of ‘Hand Railing’.

‘Hand Railing’ in a moving bus or train has to withstand the socks of breaks. And a normal human on his reflects action extends his hand towards it for help and ‘Hand Railing’ has no right to refuse.

Sometime a non-existence of ‘Hand Railing’ is pardonable but if it has to exist it got to be strong-strong and fully functional in all weather or any advance condition.

The design of ‘Hand Railing’ depends upon its ultimate place of installation. Normally it is rigidly firm but not necessary. Okay…. Imagine a moving ‘Hand Railing’!! Yes on escalators one can see a moving ‘Hand Railing’ running at synchronized speed of escalator. And my god……how much purpose it serves!! Should someone want he can ask an elderly person who are not so comfortable with the use of escalator but by force uses it keeping fear in heart. Their sole reliance is this moving ‘Hand Railing’.

Design of any product depends on the philosophy of looking at the product. And once all aspects are scrutinized and looked upon nobody will design such an important product in hurry or without giving the due importance.

That’s the philosophy of simple product as simple as ‘Hand Railing’.