By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers
He is no engineer or a scientist or a scholar with great knowledge, but a humble person who is on a mission to create awareness about the need to make environment free from pollution. Meet Syed Sajjad Ahamed, a Bangalorean, who has been travelling across the country with his handmade Solar Car in an effort to create awareness about environmental hazards.
Syed Sajjad Ahamed, born to a poor family in Kolar, is a Class 12 drop-out. During his schooling he even struggled to pass 8th std. His father worked as manager in a transport company in Kolar, where he spent his childhood and later shifted to Bangalore. Sajjad Ahamed after being unsuccessful in his studies, did not stop but was determined enough to come out with innovations by altering some of the vehicles that were already in the market.
At first, Sajjad Ahamed came out with electrically powered Luna in 2002. The speciality of the vehicle was that it used to operate by charging the batteries without using petrol. In case of batteries going dry, the vehicle would operate through petrol. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Sajjad Ahamed said that though he was a college drop-out, he was very much interested in experimenting with things available in the market and that is how he developed and came out with innovations of his own.
Sajjad Ahamed did not stop with Luna. He later came out with an electrically operated autorickshaw which was a success but unfortunately could not be taken forward as none of the manufacturers or companies came forward to take up further research on the product.
Sajjad said, “None of the companies have come forward to even look at the innovations that I have come out with. They fear that supporting the product I invented would hurt their products which are already in the market.”
However, many organisations have helped Sajjad in his endeavour to come out with solar powered vehicles. Institutions such as Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, Raman Research Institute, Exide, have all been encouraging Sajjad by providing him with necessary materials to conduct his research. He has also been assisting engineering students about the manufacturing of solar powered automobiles for their projects. “I wanted to become a professor, but I couldn’t complete my studies. I am satisfied that at least I have been able to assist engineering students in their projects”, added Sajjad.
Sajjad has till now not patented any of his innovations. When asked about the reason, he said “If I patent there will be a problem for interested people who want to take up similar work in the future. I have left the options open for the people. Anybody can come and take it forward and I will assist them in coming out similar with products.”
Currently, Sajjad has been travelling on Solar Car Mark II, which was innovated by him. He has travelled about 1,000 kms in the car which can travel at a speed of about 15 kms/ hr and can cover 150 kms/per day. The car is enabled with 500 Watt Solar panels compared to 250 watt solar panel in his first Solar Car which he came out previously. Sajjad has travelled to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana and other States in his car. During his journey Sajjad stops by colleges and schools to educate them about the environmental hazards and enlighten them about the need to protect the environment from pollution in order to make the world an ideal place for living.
He not only creates awareness on pollution but also is a volunteer of anti-corruption. He has the posters of Swami Vivekananda, Anna Hazare and other great personalities through which he tries to inspire young minds to take lead in crusade against corruption. He distributes pamphlets to people during his journey regarding need to control pollution and corruption. “I want to ignite young minds to come forward and take up the mantle of leading the country forward. Youngsters should be educated and awarded about their duties”, said Sajjad.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> Feature Articles / March 24th, 2013