Mansukhbhai Prajapati is listed on the Forbes as one of the top rural entrepreneurs in the world for his innovation. He has number of Indian patents under his name for his products, that boast high efficiency and are eco-friendly in nature. Few of his innovations are Mitticool – The Clay Fridge, Non Stick Clay Tawa, Low cost water filter to name a few. The President of India, Pratibha Patil then presented him with the national award for the same in the year 2009. Scientists and journalists from across the globe have visited his unit to see his work. Lets have an insight on the journey of this tenacious entrepreneur.
Not so easy start
Mansukhbhai Prajapati was born in the family belonging to the village Nichimandal of Morbi. His father was having clay craftsman inherited business. He failed in 10th standard and dropped out of the school as He thought that He has capability of doing something substantial instead of pursuing formal education. Due to Machhu Dam breakdown in 1979, His family moved to Wankaner near Morbi. Entire family was involved in this business. At the time, They were making 100 clay pans per day. He stopped working on this business as there was no innovation in making pots and did the odd jobs earning hardly Rs 300 per month to make a living.
Entrepreneurial Spark
While working at tile manufacturing factory, He picked up the the trick of trades. He thought what if he can invent a machine that can make 600 clay pans a day. He invented this machine that can make 600 clay pans a day instead of 100 which changed the way of doing his family business. His business started accelerating. Then after, He invented Clay water filter that can filter bacteria more than 0.9 micron that made possible almost anyone to afford and get filtered drinking water. One of the businessman from Rajkot got impressed with his work and asked him to deliver 500 such units. His business got the pace.
Tragedy & Innovation
Setback came in 2001 when Earthquake stuck Gujarat. Most of his stock got damaged and caused him a lot in the business. Local Daily Newspaper showcased his factory image and put a headline like “જૉવૉ ગરિબ નુ ફૃિજ ટુટી ગયુ” that meant “Look, A poor man’s fridge got broken”.
But He has been a problem solving person. He thought if he can really make a fridge out of clay. He registered company named Mitticool clay creations and started working on it in 2002. He invented the Fridge out of clay in 2005 that can preserve and keep fruits & vegetables fresh for few days that runs without electricity. He named this as Mitticool Fridge and registered trademark for the same. He holds patent on his name for this innovation. His work was recognized and received couple of national awards from the President of India.
Inspiration to the generation
He is a man on a mission. If he is not experimenting in his factory, he is travelling across the country to market his products and talk about it. It inspires young minds to not complain and innovate with whatever on hands in whichever stream they are. He has an even bigger vision of what is possible now: a Mitticool Home made entirely of clay that doesn’t require electricity. We look forward to see his innovations.
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