Former President A P J Abdul Kalam had been a role model and source of inspiration for millions of young and old and this 63-year-old man took an 800-km-long drive from Bengaluru in his self-made solar-powered electric car to pay homage to the late leader at his Samadhi here and popularise his vision.
Syed Sajjad Ahmed (63), a native of Kolar and settled in Bengaluru, began his self driven journey in Bengaluru on May 13, in memory of the late leader and arrived at ‘House of Kalam’ here on Friday after paying homage to the former President at his Samadhi.
After Mr. Kalam became the President of the country in 2002, he became his ardent admirer.
Attracted by his vision 2020, he had designed the ‘Electro Solar Car’ in 2004 and had been popularising Mr. Kalam’s vision for green energy and clean environment by travelling across the country.
Second trip
He had dedicated his Delhi-Pune trip in November last to Mr. Kalam and this was the second trip, dedicated to the late leader.
“I have great respect for Mr. Kalam and this is my humble contribution to popularise his vision 2020 among the youth,” he told The Hindu .
Mr. Ahmed, who could not pursue his higher studies after completing school education, began his career as a fruit vendor before venturing into Electronics and Computer business.
He won the ‘APJ Abdul Kalam Environmental award’ in 2006 for promoting green energy.
He travelled about 100 km a day at the maximum speed of 30 km per hour in the car. And whenever the battery charged with solar power dried up and there was no sun light, he would charge the battery with electric power to continue his journey, he said.
He stayed in petrol pumping stations during nights, en-route and addressed school and college students during brief stopovers during the day time.
People’s support for the ‘Kalam journey’ was simply overwhelming, he said.
He was happy to receive blessings from A. P. J. M. Maraikayar, elder brother of Mr. Kalam at the House of Kalam here, he said adding he had met Mr. Kalam thrice and cherished those moments.
He would return home after visiting Kanniyakumari on Saturday. “I look forward to meeting more students in the return journey,” he said.
