Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday encouraged Wakimul Islam, a youth with special needs, by taking a ride in a ‘smart car’ developed by the teenager.
The prime minister inspected the battery-operated vehicle, titled “A to I Smart Car” at his Tejgaon office.
Wakimul, a 17-year-old science student from Chaugachha Government College in Jashore, personally drove the prime minister in the vehicle.
Praising the use of indigenous technology, the prime minister suggested making future models more modern and affordable, assuring government support for such creative initiatives.
Wakimul shared that he built the car to achieve independent mobility.
He said that with adequate support, it would be possible to develop more advanced smart cars using modern technology, which could serve not only specially-abled individuals but also elderly citizens.
Abdus Sattar Dulal, executive director of Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS), noted that the car can travel up to 50 kilometers on a single charge, with a top speed of 45 kilometers per hour.
Senior officials, including Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman, were also present
