Meet Biju Narayanan, a self-taught electronics technician from Thodupuzha, Kerala, whose passion for innovation began at a young age. With no formal training, Biju has built over 20 devices, including a unique smart solar DC mixie with grinder.

Growing up with financial constraints, Biju’s curiosity for electronics started with his desire to own a radio. “My family couldn’t afford a radio at that time. So, I wanted to build one on my own,” he recalls.

At just 12, Biju built a working radio using a book he found in school. “The first programme I heard of was Vividh Bharati,” he says, fondly remembering his first success. This ignited a lifelong love for electronics.

As the years passed, Biju’s experiments grew. By the time he completed his pre-degree, he was repairing televisions. Though he stopped formal studies, he kept learning through books and hands-on experience.

In the late 1990s, Biju’s repair shop became a hub of innovation. “I invented a cordless television booster to safely connect TVs and reduce electric shock risks,” he shares. His ideas always aimed to solve everyday problems.

After closing his repair shop in the 2000s, Biju focused on creating devices at home. Seeing his wife struggle during frequent power cuts, he decided to innovate a solution to ease kitchen chores.

In 2010, Biju developed the first version of his 'Smart Solar Mixie'. Unlike regular mixers, this one works on solar power and has a battery backup of up to eight hours. Over the next decade, he added 15 unique features.

Biju’s mixie can grind, grate coconut, chop vegetables, and even charge mobile phones. It also works as a vacuum cleaner, has a smoke detector, and can connect to a WiFi modem, making the mixie designed for all-round use.

Despite his innovation’s potential, Biju hasn’t commercialised the mixer due to financial constraints. “I want to sell it at a reasonable price of Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000, so everyone can benefit,” he shares.

Biju has earned awards for his work, including the Rural Innovation Award in 2021. His other creations include a black box for vehicles, a driver alert system, and a machine to crack coconuts with ease.

“I wanted to find solutions to the issues we face on a daily basis,” Biju says. Though he hasn’t patented his devices, his mixie has been a reliable addition to his family’s kitchen for years.

If you’re interested in learning more or supporting Biju’s remarkable innovation, you can contact him at bijukn1970@gmail.com.