Specially-Abled Gujarat Man Makes E-Bikes Using Waste Material & Impresses Anand Mahindra!
60-year-old Vishnu Patel who is specially-abled was in the news for making an environment-friendly bike with waste material. Chairman of the Mahindra group has offered to invest in entrepreneurs like him.
In 2019, 60-year-old Vishnu Patel, who is specially-abled, was in the news for making an environment-friendly bike with waste material.
In an interview to ANI, Mr Patel said that he had built seven battery-operated bikes - all out of waste material - that would not harm the environment. "People throw away the e but I'm making bikes out of it. I want to make 3-wheelers for divyangs that can also carry their families simultaneously," he said.
Impressed by Patel's innovation and to encourage his dedication, Chairman of the Mahindra group has offered to invest in entrepreneurs like him.
A Twitter user shared Vishnu Patel's story with Anand Mahindra, who is known for tweeting about and supporting innovations that catch his eye; in the past, he has offered help to many who have impressed him.
'He's divyang ever since he was 1yr, can't hear but his skills are powerful. He knows tricks that can make things work alternatively. He's impressing all of us since I was 1yr', added the user.
Fabulous story. I¡¯ll reach out to him to see if I can invest in upgradations for his workshop. In fact he¡¯s inspired me to personally set aside ?1 cr as an initial fund to invest in micro entrepreneurs like him in the country. So much talent & innovation waiting for recognition https://t.co/hM46jv264o
¡ª anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 11, 2020
Responding to the tweet, Mr Mahindra called it a 'fabulous story' and said that he would reach out to Mr Patel and invest in his workshop. 'I'll reach out to him to see if I can invest in upgradations for his workshop', wrote the Chairman of the Mahindra Group.
Gujarat: Vishnu Patel, a 60-year-old differently abled man in Surat, says he has built two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles using parts of old electronic items. He says, "If Rs 20 Lakh loan is granted to me, I can make a vehicle which will bring laurels to India." (20.02.2019) pic.twitter.com/azszoPLK9t
¡ª ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019
He added that Mr Patel's story has inspired him to set aside Rs 1 crore as an "initial fund to invest in micro entrepreneurs like him."
Anand Mahindra is known to lend a helping hand to people who come up with 'jugaad' (hacks) to make daily life easier. In 2018, he offered to make a small investment for a cobbler whose witty advertisement bowled him over. The cobbler called himself a 'shoe-doctor' and the board advertised his shoe repair shop as a 'hospital' for 'injured' shoes, listing Dr Narseeram as the doctor on duty.
They flew down to meet him&produced these ideas. We would be delighted to get your inputs on the analysis & approaches & which you prefer. We want to design something that enhances the pavement aesthetic & hopefully create a template for roadside vendors..(2/2) pic.twitter.com/bNRB9bkJOi
¡ª anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 28, 2018
Mahindra made his design studio in Mumbai, come up with a new kiosk for the cobbler - and they came up with the best one. The kiosk was delivered and set up - Mahindra made sure the shoe doctor enjoyed his work space.
