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| Dasaradhan, Punalur, Kollam |
His life had once been severely jolted by an explosion in a cracker shop, when his father perished in the accident. But that incident lit the spark in Dasaradhan’s mind to find a means to reduce the risk involved in explosives and firecrackers.
So after his retirement from the Air Force in 1979, he devoted his time and resources to this single quest. A diploma in mechanical engineering and his experience in the Air Force were his credentials.
He collected as much information about explosives. He visited many cracker manufacturing units in Sivakasi and other places. He obtained books from abroad and burnt much midnight oil in his rustic lab.
The result of his effort was to incorporate Potassium Nitrate in place of the deadly Potassium Chlorate in the manufacture of firecrackers. While all other states in India use the less dangerous Nitrate for fireworks, here its use had been discouraged by the humidity. Dasarathan developed the technique of using small crystals of pure Potassium Nitrate enveloped with natural fibres to resist humidity. Similarly, he developed Ammonium Nitrate-based explosives in place of gelatin-based dynamites for use in quarries.
However, his inventions had very short life as products. By the time they gained a foothold in the market, the established players intervened and the result was the end of business and cancellation of his license.
The net result was mounting debts to the tune of Rs.13 lakhs. The bank started recovery process. Telephone and electricity were cut and he suffered heart attack thrice. But every time came back to the lab with renewed vigour.
Hearing about continuing firecracker tragedies, he dreams that one day people will recognize the worth of his products.
Courtesy:
Subha Joseph, Sree, Malayala Manorama, May 14, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
