Unique rice mill inventor in book of records

IMPHAL, April 2: After Moirangthem Oken, popularly known as 'Samballei' Oken, it's now the turn of another man from this tiny State who walked into the Limca Book of Records, 2001 for an innovative invention in the field of agricultural science. The new inventor is T Surendranath of Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC), a registered government society, under State Science and Technology department. A scientific officer of MASTEC, T Surendranath has entered the 2001 edition of the prestigious Limca Book of Records, for his landmark invention of a pedal-operated rice mill. The new machine is constructed with a rotating drive shaft supported by two bearings. It comprises a framework resting a pair of pedestals. Front pedestals is provided with mechanism such as drive shaft mounted through a ball bearing housing, hopper, flywheel, outlet etc. The rice mill weighs 35 kg, stands 92.5 cm from the ground with 84 cm in length and 52 cm in breadth. This rice mill has the capacity of grinding 10 kilograms of rice in one hour. Though it is said that the machine might be made available to the public at a low cost, as of now there is no arrangement for putting up these machines on sale. However, sources from MASTEC said, it will be available for sale within a short period. The State Science and Technology Minister Khashim Ruivah also assured that all possible help will be extended while delivering to the general public. Besides, the Minister promised to institute a State award for Surendranath after producing the matter before the State Cabinet. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Commissioner of the Manipur Science and Technology Department Ram Muivah said, "We'll process whatever we can after the Cabinet's decision for the said award." On the other hand, this 43 year-old inventor T Surendranath who lives in Imphal East, told this Correspondent that he created the theory to produce a pedal-operated rice mill in view of the irregular power supply and also for the replacement of outdated grinding tools in Manipur. Even though it was first constructed way back in April 1999, it has been displayed before the public on May 11 in the same year during the National Technology Day observation at New Delhi, he said. The National Research Development Corporation, New Delhi had honoured him with the National Invention Award, 1999 for his landmark invention. The Award was presented by the Union Minister for Science and Technology Murli Manohar Joshi.