Jajarkot villages still using traditional grinding mills

By Basudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Oct. 26: Although the villages of Barekot Rural Municipality are connected to road networks, locals still rely on traditional water mills and dhikis (manual grinding tools for crushing grain) as these villages have not yet been electrified. 

The residents continue to depend on water mills and dhikis for grinding as the villages lack grinding mills equipped with modern technology due to the lack of electricity.

Ram Maya Khatri from Barekot Rural Municipality-8 shared, “We have access to motorable roads, but for crushing grain, we still rely on water mills and dhikis.” She said that with no access to electricity, people still rely on these manual tools.

In Laikham village, there are 10 to 12 dhikis, where sisters and neighbours take turns grinding. Grinding grains at the mill can be done in an hour, but using a dhiki takes the entire day. However, working together at the dhiki fosters bonds of closeness and support among women in the community, Ram Maya said. Dhikis and water mills serve as gathering spots for sharing happiness and sorrow, yet relying on them alone makes household work difficult.

The lack of electrification has left them dependent on traditional means. Until recently, people relied on oil lamps for light, but solar panels provided by the government and donor agencies have brought some brightness to economically disadvantaged families.

The Sepukhola Micro-Hydro Project initially brought electricity to the village, but landslides during the rainy season damaged the canals, cutting off the power supply. 

Although solar panels have brought light, villagers still face the daily challenge of grinding grain without modern alternatives. With no other options, locals have to wake up as early as 4 am to use the dhiki or water mill. 

Chairperson of Ward No. 8 of Barekot-8 Yogendra Singh that landslides in the rainy season have damaged various sections of the Sepukhola Micro-Hydro Project’s canal, leading to power disruptions.

Efforts are underway, with support from Provincial Assembly Member Bed Raj Singh and concerned agencies, to acquire necessary materials and resume power supply in the coming days. Although poles for the national power transmission line have been installed, electricity supply remains uncertain.