PM rides ‘smart car’ built by specially-abled youth

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today rode in a “smart car” built by specially-abled youth Wakimul Islam, encouraging the young innovator for his creative effort.

Wakimul met the prime minister at his office in Tejgaon, where he showcased the small vehicle he had built.

He later drove the battery-operated smart car carrying the prime minister.

The vehicle has been named “A to I Smart Car.”

The prime minister praised the 17-year-old for developing the vehicle using local technology and advised him to make the smart car more modern, affordable, and user-friendly.

Tarique assured government support for such creative initiatives.

During the meeting, Wakimul shared the story behind building the smart car.

Wakimul, an 11th-grade science student at Chaugachha Government College and son of a small businessman, said he once spent most of his time confined at home and could not move around independently.

From the desire to travel outside on his own, he began developing the vehicle.

He said that with proper support, it would be possible to build more advanced smart cars using modern technology, which could benefit not only specially-abled people but also elderly citizens.

Founder and Executive Director of Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Samity Abdus Sattar Dulal, who accompanied Wakimul, said the electric vehicle can travel up to 50 kilometres on a single charge and has a top speed of 45 kilometres per hour.

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and other senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office were, among others, present.