Get All Access for $5/mo

An ATM Machine That Pushes out 'Laddoos' is Possible Only in India Celebrating the vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, a Pune resident has invented a unique ATM that gives away modaks instead of cash

By Aastha Singal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Every nook and corner of India is filled with a variety of individuals coming from different backgrounds but all share the trait of outspreading happiness and joy. The opportunity gets multiplied every few days as one or the other festival comes knocking on our doors to fill our hearts with vibrant butterflies ready to explode.

Among the many festivals, one that the nation is currently celebrating marks the birth of almighty Ganesha. The 10-day festival, Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across the nation with much pomp and show. In the past years, worshippers have come up with many innovative ideas to celebrate the occasion whole-heartedly.

In a bid to make the festival more eco-friendly, worshippers install green Ganpati idols at their homes among other efforts. However, one element that makes the festival even more special is the sweet modaks, the mouth-watering delicacy, to devour which people wait for an entire year.

Modak Machine

Now imagine if you could access them at any time. You know, like an ATM, where you swipe your debit card and withdraw the cash. Well, a Pune resident named Sanjiv Kulkarni has created a Modal vending ATM, which he calls Any Time Modak machine. The ATM was installed in Pune's Sahakar Nagar on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Being a former mechanical engineer, Kulkarni has attempted to bring culture and technology together with the machine. Like a regular ATM, this innovative vending machine also requires the modak seekers to swipe a special card and select a button. Interestingly, each button denotes distinctive emotions with which worshippers pray to Lord Ganesha.

The buttons read 'kshama' (forgiveness), 'daan' (charity), 'prem' (love), 'shanti' (peace), 'bhakti' (devotion), 'sadachaar' (righteousness) and 'bhavna' (feeling). Upon selecting one of the given options, devotees can avail the "prasad' as Kulkarni told News Wire ANI. Ever since being installed, the unique machine has become a point of attraction.

Festival as Motivator

Indian festivals have always acted as a motivator for innovative thinkers for putting their hidden skills to use. Last year near Diwali, three Indians - Shashi Ranjan, a scientist from the National University of Singapore, Debayan Saha, a post-graduate from IIT Kharagpur, and Harsh Sheth, a doctor invented a nasal device.

Keeping the number of pollutants that enter the atmosphere during the festive season, the three vigilant Indians created a device to capture pollutants and clear the air. There are many more innovative thinkers India has yet to explore and our festivals can supposedly provide them with that opportunity to come forward.

Aastha Singal

Entrepreneur Staff

Former Features Writer

A business journalist looking to find happiness in the world of startups, investments, MSMEs and more. Officially started her career as a news reporter for News World India, Aastha had short stints with NDTV and NewsX. A true optimist seeking to make a difference, she is a comic junkie who'd rather watch a typical Bollywood masala than a Hollywood blockbuster. 

News and Trends

"45% of All Ongoing Hydropower Projects in India are Ours": Patel Engineering

Patel Engineering reported a turnover of INR 4,400 crore in the last fiscal year, with a projected 10 per cent growth for the current year.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Leadership

Should I Stay or Should I Go? 8 Key Points to Navigate the Founder's Dilemma

Here are eight key signs that help founders determine whether to persevere or let go.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.