It has been 13 years of perseverance and struggle for Bilal Ahmad, a mathematics teacher in the capital of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), to produce the region’s first solar-electric automobile that operates completely on solar energy and can also be charged with electrical energy.
Ahmad, 40, became an overnight sensation in the region after his pictures and videos of the car went viral on social media last month.
While talking with Anadolu Agency at his home in Srinagar, Ahmad expressed surprise that his product has received such a positive response and recognition from the public.
“I never imagined that my innovation will generate such positive gestures from people,” he said, referring to being called “Elon Musk of Kashmir” when his solar-electric car went viral.
In 2009, Ahmad was deeply touched by an article in which he read that in the coming years, petrol prices would increase exponentially, making it difficult for the average person to afford a car.
“Then I decided to develop something that people could afford,” Ahmad explained.
