Machines to make idiyappam, puttu, wash cars... Pala native Manoj's devices are a class apart

Idiyappam is a much-loved Kerala breakfast, but preparing it isn't easy if you don't get the rice mix's consistency right. However, for 48-year-old Manoj Thomas of Kattakkayam House in Chakkampuzha near Pala, it's an easy breezy process, thanks to the machines he invented. From a smart idiyappam 'sevanazhi' to machines to clean cars, he has many interesting devices to his credit that make everyday jobs easy. 

Neck pain leads to invention
Manoj developed severe neck pain in 2014, which prevented him from doing most of the jobs. The crisis made him think about creating machines for various tasks. He developed machines for car washing, coconut grating, drying, and even making cutlets. It was then that Anu, Manoj’s wife, asked him to develop a machine for making Idiyappam, fed up with her relentless fight with ‘sevanazhi’. The machine was ready in just seven days and the patent for the technology too was obtained. Besides idiyappam, the machine can be used for making an array of other food items such as noodles, pakkavada, maniputtu, etc.

Inspired by these innovations, Manoj took to the production of his innovative machines on an industrial scale by opening a new company, Orfa Technologies, at Kidangoor. “The machine was launched in the market after a trial run for three months. The research and development cost of each machine is around Rs 70,000. We have been receiving several orders, mostly from hospitals and hostels,” says Manoj.

Coconut grater captures the market
The machine that Manoj developed for grating coconut too has become a huge hit. The blade of the machine’s shaft has been designed like the spiky leaves of pineapple, which has helped avoid the risk of injuries. All these appliances require a power workload of 12 volts and hence can be run using an inverter as well. Manoj has fixed the price for his car-washing machine at Rs 7,600 while the one for making Idiyapppam is Rs 13,500. The coconut grating machine is available at Rs 5,900. Manoj can be contacted at 9526763335.