Question

What can you see in each picture on the next page?

In picture 2 you can see the bajra cobs in the mortar (okhli, used for crushing). The cobs are crushed with a pestle (moosli) and the seeds are separated from the cob. You can see the separated seeds in picture 3. Now this work is also done by big machines, like threshers. We call both these different ‘technologies’ – using our hands or big machines – to crush the seeds.

What technology could have been used to cut the stem in picture 1? What do you think is being done in the grinder (chakki ) in picture 4? What ways (technologies) would have been used to do the work shown in pictures 5 and 6? You can see that the dough is ready in picture 6. When do you think a sieve (chhalni ) would have been used? Discuss each step in detail, in any language you wish to use.

Answer 1

Picture 1: A lad is separating and taking out the cobs from the bajra crops.

Picture 2: The bajra cob is kept in a mortar. It will be pounded by a pestle to separate grains from the cobs.

Picture 3: Bajra seeds are kept on a plate.

Picture 4: A lady is grinding bajra seeds to make flour. She is using chakki (grinding stone) for that.

Picture 5: Bajra flour is kept on a plate.

Picture 6: Dough has been made from bajra flour.

Picture 7: Chapatti is being made from dough.

Picture 8: Chapatti is being cooked on Tawa.

Picture 9: Chapattis kept in a plate.

The stem is usually cut by a sickle.

Flour is being made in the grinder.

In most households, making dough does not involve using technologies. Ladies simply use the age-old method of kneading the dough with bare hands. Flour is usually sieved before making the dough. After that, water needs to be added to the flour. People usually estimate the required amount of water for making dough. After kneading for some time, the dough gets ready.