Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove
Need of the hour Innovation by Maibam Nandakumar

James Khangenbam *

Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove Innovation :: Pix by Bunti Phurailatpam

I have completed G NIIT and presently run a computer repairing shop for my living, earlier I also take computer classes. I am married with two kids. Recently I came across news in a local paper about electric generation from juiced out sugarcane fibre remains in Nagpur.

The news was a very motivating one for me and my three self-employed friends. We went on researching for innovating a way to produce electricity as our shops is run by electric currents and we face many short comings on daily basis.

We even plan to visit Nagpur to study the organic method of producing electricity with available raw materials. Our mind was active in doing some unique social cause and we came up with this "Chakhumgi Wainam" or simply Rice Husk Stove.

Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove Innovation :: Pix by Bunti Phurailatpam

My name is Maibam Nandakumar. I am a resident of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai and I am very happy with the Rice Husk Stove I innovated on 27th May 2012. Now hundreds of customers has lined up for my stove after journalists published my innovation on 4th June 2012.

Rice husk is readily available in our State. Our ancestors had put them into best use since time immemorial. With my research, efforts and reference inputs from friends and internet helps I have innovated the Rice Husk Stove "Chakhumgi Wainam" which is smokeless and environment friendly. My stove is unique in its length and methods. Flame regulation is done with an AC/DC battery operated tiny fan attached to the bottom of my stove.

A lump of rice husk "wai" weighing 700 gms can last for 50 minutes and is sufficient enough to cook a complete meal comfortably at a blue flame heat produced by my Stove.

Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove Innovation :: Pix by Bunti Phurailatpam

5 bag of rice husks can last for a month in a family of 7 members @ Rs 10 per bag of rice husks available at the nearest local rice mill. Thus the amount a family has to spend per month in cooking is Rs 50. If people started using Chakhumgi Wainam the State can save a huge amount of money.

With my efforts we can solve the scarcity of LPG gases in the State at the times of Blockades since our State is land lock. It is also environmental friendly as it would be more cost effective to fire wood kitchens practiced by poor families who cannot afford Gas Cylinder and stoves.

If my stove is used in the hills it will save time for the hill people in collecting woods and would be more hygienic as it is smokeless. Though the methods may be different prototype of Rice Husk Stove is used in some Asian countries as well.

In response to my innovation NABARD had invited me for a meeting and necessary registration is done in the DIC for government aids in making my product available at a subsidised rate to reach out to the poor.

I am looking towards health clearance from the concern department at present. Right now my legal advisor Nameirakpam Jayantakumar is guiding me for my intellectual property rights and we are trying to put a tag in our products.

I am also working on safety measures before my product is made available to the public. As for my family I have started using it weeks back. It takes a minute or two to burn up to the blue flame like the LPG cylinders blue flames.

Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove Innovation :: Pix by Bunti Phurailatpam

An individual can make six 'Chakhumgi Wainam' a day after proper training and it can employ many willing persons.

My special thanks goes to my three friends – Oinam Jane (Janeshwor) of HeirangoithongMaibamLeikai who is running an electronic shop now, Longjam Ronel of Chingamakha Chanam Pukhri Mapal doing computer works, Kangujam Telheiba of Kakwa Lamdeibung who is running an Audio Visual editing centre at Kakwa and a journalists himself with ISTV production unit NEVS.

And I appreciate the encouragement from the public in my endeavour to serve the people of my State.

See a full Photo Gallery of this Chakhumgi Wainam here

Read News Published at The Sangai Express here and at Hueiyen Lanpao here