‘Then I had an idea nobody had tried before’: 76-year-old Balakrishna Aiya’s innovative well brought water to rocky Goa village
Canacona (Goa): “Everyone said digging a well here was impossible,” reflects 76-year-old Balakrishna Aiya from his home in Loliem, Goa’s Canacona district. His achievement in the rocky terrain of Maddi-Tolop stands as a testament to both persistence and creative problem-solving.
The name Maddi-Tolop translates to ‘rocky area’ in Konkani, and water scarcity had plagued this small community for generations. Technical specialists had deemed the location unsuitable for well construction due to its challenging geological composition: a rocky surface layer, clay deposits in the middle, and impenetrable black stone at the base. While these conditions presented seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Aiya perceived opportunities where others saw only barriers.
“I studied the land,” Aiya remembers. “Then I had an idea nobody had tried before.” His approach combined practicality with groundbreaking innovation. The key insight was the necessity of drilling to significant depths to reach water sources. However, this strategy carried substantial dangers, particularly the threat of workers becoming trapped under falling rocks if the excavation collapsed.
Aiya’s solution involved an unprecedented safety mechanism: constructing a staircase from ground level down to the clay layer. This design provided workers with a reliable evacuation path, enabling them to dig deeper while maintaining confidence in their ability to escape should the soil become unstable.
His vision extended beyond addressing his personal water needs. Aiya installed pipeline networks that delivered water from his source to 25 additional homes throughout Maddi-Tolop.
Community members describe these actions as characteristic of someone who seamlessly combines innovation, artistic talent, and unexpected heroism. Local appreciation has been matched by official recognition, with Aiya receiving honors from the Goa State Biodiversity Board and the Kala Gaurav Puraskar award.
As a perpetual creator, Aiya produces diverse items ranging from Ganesh sculptures to household brooms. Adaptation defines his approach to life’s challenges. During his earlier years, upon learning that educational institutions sought art instructors, he completed an elementary drawing teachers’ certification and subsequently taught at a neighborhood school for 17 years. His idol-crafting began as a supplementary income source following his voluntary departure from teaching. He also serves as a pandit to create additional family income streams. Regarding broom production, he actually invented specialized equipment for their manufacture.
Observing Aiya during broom creation reveals his use of a distinctively shaped blade. “This is my own design. It trims the ribs at exactly the right angle,” he explains. With this instrument, he rapidly converts ordinary dried palm frond bundles into what residents consider Canacona’s highest-quality brooms. His success stems from specialized binding methods and customized grip techniques developed through extensive experimentation.
Each broom commands prices of Rs 250-300. Manufacturing between two and six brooms per day, Aiya has elevated a basic household item to artistic status. Currently, he focuses on transferring his expertise to younger individuals. “What good is knowledge if it dies with you?” he asks, expressing his guiding principles. “What good is innovation if it doesn’t help your neighbour?”