Gangaram, a rickshaw repairer and a resident of Ramjanaki Nagar, in Uttar Pradesh, built a cycling mill to grind wheat. During the COVID-19-induced lockdown, he found it very difficult to go to the market to grind the flour and this motivated him to come up with a cycle-operated attachakki. Gangara had to invest Rs 10,000 from his pocket to create this device. He was assisted in his ‘native juggad’ by Gopal Vishwakarma, a teacher teaching mechanical engineering in a college, and Arun Kumar Singh, also a teacher, teaching drawing to polytechnics’ students. Together, it took them two months to come up with the unique cycle-operated attachakki.
This innovative floor mill can grind about 8 kg of wheat and other grains in an hour. The machine is easy to use and can be operated by both women and children. Grains are poured in the upper part of the machine, which then flow down to a millstone through a pipe to the bottom compartment for grinding.
The cycle-operated attachakki can grind wheat, rice, and other coarse grains with no loss to their nutritional value. The device has attracted much interest with people flocking to see the innovation and also place orders. Gangaram received marketing and prototype development support under MVIF by GIAN and SIDBI in the year 2021. As of now, he has sold two units of his cycle chakki. He also received the innovative farmer award in 2020.