Syed Sajjan Ahmed, a 63-year-old man started his memorable journey from Raj Bhavan in Bangalore to Rashtrapathi Bhavan in Delhi. He started the journey on November 1, 2015, and will cover over 1,740 kilometers in his way. Syed took 30 days to cover the distance. When asked him what is the reason to do this, he said he wanted to spread the message of APJ Abdul Kalam.

Syed arrived to participate in the first India International Science Fair (IISF) traveling by self-developed solar electric powered car. Syed was a school dropout and he now set up a shop for electronics repair. He said he started his career as a fruit vendor. He spends 25% of his income to design energy efficient devices and 25% for social service.

His work included assembly of electronic goods, starting off with transistors, tape recorders and television sets and antennas. Syed is deeply and a die-heart fan of late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He took the opportunity to say that this trip is a tribute to him. He spent Rs. 10 lakhs to develop electric two wheeler and three wheelers for physically-abled people. His four-wheeler electric car spent Rs. 50,000.

“I had to leave school at 15 to start earning for the family. But the fire to create something that would be of use to humanity kept burning within me.” The break came in 2002. “I told myself that I am 50 now and I must do something before I become too old and infirm,” Syed said. He also achieved Karnataka Government award for environment protection, instituted in honor of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, in 2006 for his innovation.

Syed said in IISF at IIT-Delhi campus, the modified car is equipped with a set of five solar panels, each with a capacity of 100 watts. The power generated by the panels propels the machine through a bank of six batteries, each with a capacity of 12 volts and 100 amps. “There were times when we thought we would not be able to take the steep climbs on the Ghat roads. But, it crossed all the hurdles without much trouble,” he said.

“Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is the inspiration to the whole of India but more to me. It is a journey for change to inspire, ignite, innovate, and educate the public, especially students, about Dr. Kalam’s Vision 2020 for uplifting the country,” he added.