India is primarily an agricultural country. More than 75% of the population depends on agriculture. Farmers are the backbone of the nation. Without them, we cannot survive.
They sweat it out day in day out without rest. They are highly involved in tilling the soil, sowing the seeds, watering the fields, reaping and harvesting the crop and then they sell it to the market.
The sad reality is that they are less unfortunate people who giving absolutely everything to the nation They dedicate their whole life for us but they themselves live a poor life. Needless to say, they can also be called as the ‘God of the soil’. On the dark side, farmers commit suicides when they feel helpless under mountain pressure of debt.
On the other hand, farmers are extremely talented as well. Recently, a farmer hailing from Odisha made the headlines for building a solar-powered car. He alone made a four-wheeled car that operates on solar-power battery.
The farmer identified as Sushil Agarwal from Karanjia subdivision of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district came up with a superb innovation. Talking about the specifications of the car, it is powered by 850 Watts motor, 100 Ah/ 54 Volts of battery and can run up to 300 km on a single charge.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Agarwal said, “I have a workshop at home. During COVID-19 lockdown, I began working there to create this. It can run for 300 km after full charge”. He further added that the battery can be charged fully within 8 and a half hours.
“It is a slow charging battery. Such batteries have a long life, It will last till 10 years,” he said.
“All the work on this vehicle including motor winding, electrical fitting and chassis work were done in my workshop with the help of two other mechanics and a friend who advised me on electric works,” he added.
It has been 3 months since he did the work on the four-wheeled vehicle which is still in its initial frame. “I was at my home when the lockdown restrictions were imposed. I knew soon the fuel prices will shoot up once the lockdown restrictions will be lifted. So I decided to build my own car which could also keep me occupied,” said Agarwal.
Sushul Agarwal further added saying that he built the vehicle just by going through some books and watching YouTube videos. Meanwhile, Gopal Krishna Das RTO Mayurbhanj said, “I am glad to know that he has tried to design and manufacture a solar-battery-powered vehicle during the lockdown period. Such environmentally-friendly vehicles that do not cause much pollution are the future of the automotive industry”
“Society should encourage this type of invention. It is advisable to improve the design in consultation with Government of India’s agencies like ARAI, CIRT to improve the safety, comfort and efficiency of the vehicle so that can it be used on roads.”