Degree In Academics Not The Only Route To Success In Life
67 year old MM Sharma shows the way
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2013 : Degrees or diplomas are not the only inevitabilities for an individual like 67-year old Manoharmayum Manihar Sharma but resilience, ingenuity and a little cerebral exercise can be the mantra for success in life.

A resident of Nongmeibung Wangkheirakpam Leikai (Pung Makhong), Manihar relented from pursuing his academic interest due to financial constraints of the family after matriculation but through his sheer determination and focus, the elderly citizen has gained recognition for his innovative products to such an extent that the former President of India Pratibha devisingh Patil conferred national Innovation Award on November 18, 2009 .

The award was for his automatically operated water pump produce.

Manoharmayum Manihar Sharma with his innovation

While Manihar is so far the only Manipuri to have received the award, sponsored by Ahmedabad-based National Innovation Foundation, he has to his credit indigenously developed/assembled water pump, dryer (consumer items), dhoop (incense) stick making machine, anti-theft magnetic lock and solar-powered silk & muga reeling cum spinning machine.

Talking to The Sangai Express, the Nongmeibung resident informed that he was selected for another national award sponsored by the Chennai-based on May 7 this year for his solar-powered spinning machine production but due to family compulsion could not attend the award presentation event personally.

Maintaining that the latest award was for runner-up position in the sub-category of 'innovation of polymer processing machinery and equipment', to be sent through the post, Manihar said it took nearly a year to finish his award-winning machine, that completes the process from reeling to threading.

Further informing that the machine along with the indigenously developed rewinder components is priced at no less than Rs 23,000, he exuded confidence that the machine would enable the weaver community to earn substantial income as about 12 kgs looms could be prepared in a single day.

Confessing that he completed only upto matriculation and underwent a month's training at Central Institute of Plastic Engineering Technology, Manihar indebted his technical experience to the assistance and expertise shared by the head expert during his stint at a motor workshop located at Ghari area.

Remembering the senior's advice that through innovative thinking one can achieve overcome lack of bookish knowledge, Manihar said his focus on innovative/indigenous products started after crossing 50 years of age.

While Manihar regretted that his goal of developing magnet-operated motor remains unfulfilled till date, him family members disclosed that the innovator even forgets his meals due to intense concentration on the work in hand.