In defence of Nosimon
This is a response to Ali Kabir's letter on "Nosimon" published in your page on June 15th. Instead of criticising the innovators of this wonderful dual use, very useful irrigation cum transport facility, that has considerably helped our neglected farmers a lot in the villages; we should rather appreciate their creativity. The beauty of this Transport cum Irrigation (dual purpose) mechanical marvel is that it can quickly and easily become an irrigation pump for the farmer; irrigating his farm and also transporting his products!
As a mechanical engineer, my hats off to them for an interesting innovation based on an irrigation pump and modified chassis and parts from the auto-rickshaw from which this dual purpose extremely useful machinery has been hatched!! Our audio-visual media should publicise the way these things are manufactured in village workshops, and how effective the vehicle is; ideally suited for this important rural task. It is realistically the farmer's "Work Horse": and a "Mechanical Friend" for them. Last winter, when I was in a Satkhira village, I met these mechanics, talked to them and saw their small village shops that make and put together this wonderful dual use vehicle. They were intrigued by the curiosity shown by a "City-Walla". However, they opened up and became friendly when they learned that I was, as they said, a "Machine Engineer".
We interchanged some ideas for its improvement and further development. We finally parted as friends over a cup of tea hosted by them! They narrated their woes, in registering it, and the official "Berlin Wall" of papers that the "Boro" official wanted from them to have it certified and registered by the district "transport-wallas", sitting behind their all-powerful desks. They were told to get warranty certificates, drawings and catalogues etc. to get this done. However, they were obliquely helpful too; which translated meant wads of crisp currency notes! Now they get by with regular payment of a reasonable negotiated "bakshish"; and the local police overlook the need for all the non-existant papers! After all it is the same engine that they use for irrigating their crops during the dry season and then mount it on the Nosimon to take their products to the "Aroth" to sell!
So, please do not criticize the poor villagers.
I would appeal to some benevolent NGO and/or the Hon. MP from that locality to kindly get the paperwork sorted out; and see to it that the registration and fitness fee is no more than an auto-rickshaw. Their creativity also needs national recognition!
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