PONDA: The Dhumaskar and Parker families in Savoi-Verem, are upholding a century-old tradition by continuing their ancestral oil mill business. Despite the decline in agriculture in the region, they persist in using the 100-year-old mill to produce flour, oil, and spices, preserving the legacy established by their grandfather Anant Parker, who migrated to Savoi-Verem from Sankhali a century ago.
The historic mill, once powered by diesel and water, served as a crucial hub for villagers to grind rice, wheat and coconut, to extract oil.
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With the advent of electricity, the mill transitioned to modern power sources. While the rice mill has been inactive due to the villagers’ shift away from paddy farming, the demand for wheat flour, spices, and coconut oil persists across the State, keeping the mill grinding on.
Purnadas Dhumaskar, Anant Parker’s grandson, expressed pride in maintaining his grandfather’s mill.
Despite the availability of advanced machinery in the market, the century-old mill stands as a testament to the adage ‘old is gold’, providing reliable service and lasting durability.
The families continue to meet the demand for traditional milling, ensuring the continuation of their rich familial and community heritage.
