Mr. Dodhi Pathak
Nalbari, Assam
Mr. Dodhi Pathak is an unique innovator of articles made out of bamboo. He was discovered in a mela (rural fair). He is around 48 years of age. He firmly believes in the adage “ necessity is the mother of invention”. Having suffered a poverty stricken childhood, he faced many difficulties in life which reinforced his faith in his ability to innovate. The seeds of the innovations were laid when Mr. Pathak had to buy a second hand cycle for himself. He was not able to buy one as it was very costly. So he thought of constructing a cycle with a locally available raw material i.e., bamboo. With this idea in his mind Mr. Pathak was able to make his dream come true. He is a very good singer of folk tunes.
Bamboo bicycle
Tooth made out of bamboo, Bamboo made hand pump
The Innovation
Teeth made from bamboo:
He has designed artificial teeth from bamboo. The innovator has made it for own use. His two incisors on the upper jaw are the proof of the utility and feasibility of this innovation. He can chew anything and eat all types of food including mutton and fish with the bamboo teeth
Bicycle made from bamboo:
Designed and made a complete bicycle by using bamboo for all parts except the tyre and tube. Initially when he rode it through the lanes in his village, many people stared at this new bamboo bicycle.
Hand pump made from bamboo:
He has developed a working model of a hand pump, which is suitable to lift
both underground water and pond water. This pump is totally made out of
bamboo, even the piston, valve, barrel, handle and all the other parts.