3 Idiots and one smart machine

His invention attracted producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra when he had approached the Ahmedabad-based National Innovation Foundation to select “creative ideas” for his movie.

“They called me to Mumbai. I was taken all the way to Laddakh for the shooting in September 2008,” said Idris,who was shown shearing sheep in Rancchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad aka Phunsukh Wangdu’s school of innovation in the movie.

The movie also showcased the works of two other innovations — “scooter-powered flourmill” and “exercycle-cum-washing machine” — by Jahangir Painter and Remya Jose.

“We were accustomed to hand clippers but they were expensive to maintain and not easy to operate. It prompted me to convert hand clippers into cycle powered clippers in 2003,” said Idris,who has been in the business for last 20 years. The new machine was not just easy to run,it proved economical as well. His income doubled too.

Later,the team from the National Innovation Foundation,Honey Bee Network,Sri Raghvendra Institute of Science and Technology (SRIST) located him,got his backyard invention into the mainstream and got him the coveted innovation award 2005.

“President APJ Abdul Kalam gave me the award and patted my back,” grinned Idris,who also got the machine patented in his name. “I have sold over 20 machines to contractors in Bulandshahr,Pilibhit and Bareilly.”

He gradually upgraded the machine to operate on an automatic mode. “While the cycle-operated model has been shown in the movie,I developed another model that runs on electricity,” said Idris,who does not mind admitting that he studied only till Class V.

He has already watched the Aamir-starrer thrice — “not because I am part of the movie but because of the theme that encourages creativity.”

His face does not figure prominently in the movie but he has been shown using the machine. “People did recognise me and are treating me as hero,” he laughed. A resident of Hasanpur Kalan area in Meerut,Idris started his career as a barber,his family profession. “Then we shifted to the horse hair clipping profession,as it paid better,” he said,“now,this has brought national fame to me.”