This is the story of a college dropout turned ‘serial innovator,’ whose energy-efficient and low-cost machines are simplifying agricultural processes for farmers across the country. Uddhab Bharali could not afford to pay the fees of his college and had to dropout. Here’s the story of how he turned into an innovator.
Hailing from Lakhimpur in Assam, Uddhab Bharali was born into a middle-class business family by the Brahmaputra’s northern bank. The academically bright Bharali was often asked by his teacher to stand outside the class because he asked ‘difficult questions’ in mathematics.
Uddhab Bharali decided to take admission to the Jorhat Engineering College. However, had to drop out of engineering college because he could not afford to pay the fees and had to care for his family.
To tackle his father’s debts and to follow his passion for inventing, Bharali crafted a polythene-making machine.
At 23, he learned about a company seeking innovators for a polythene-making machine, but the existing ones were too expensive. Determined to win the deal, he created a machine at a much lower cost, marking the beginning of his innovative journey.
After successfully repaying his father’s debts, Uddhab Bharali took on a maintenance contract for a hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh. However, he had to return home after three years due to his brother’s passing. As the sole breadwinner, Bharali felt a responsibility to support his family and pledged to help those below the poverty line.
In 2005, the National Innovation Foundation noticed his talent and enlisted him as a grassroots innovator. His pomegranate de-seeding machine, developed in 2006, garnered attention globally for its ability to process 55 kg of pomegranates per hour.
He continued inventing machines like an areca nut peeling device and devices for cassava peeling, bamboo splitting, and more. With the help of the National Innovation Foundation, these machines were set up in North Cachar hills, easing the strenuous labor for locals dependent on agriculture.
Uddhab Bharali’s inventions, from a garlic peeling machine to a trench digger, gained popularity not only in India but also in foreign countries, helping people in various industries.
Bharali started the UKD Trust to aid people. He provides a monthly pension of Rs 1,200 to six widows and Rs 2,500 to three physically challenged individuals. He also runs a small institute, teaching underprivileged students about technology for three months. Currently, he is developing an orphanage, an old age home, and a museum at his place for students to explore his inventions.
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very good well done thank you so much
HEMAMA-segc.