Freedom. Ah, the sweet taste of the open road, the wind in your hair, and the world at your wheels. For many, freedom is the simple will to do whatever we like, whenever we want, and go wherever our heart desires. The intoxicating sense of limitless possibilities, the thrill of adventure, the sheer joy of movement — these are the things that make us feel alive. Whether it’s a spontaneous road trip to the mountains, a weekend escape to the beach, or just a leisurely drive through the countryside, the freedom to travel underpins much of our happiness and sense of well-being.
But, what if the ability to move from one place to another wasn’t something you could take for granted? For the majority of us, the plight of physically disabled or handicapped individuals is a concept we understand but rarely engage with on a deeper level.
Mobility for disabled individuals isn’t just a convenience; it’s a Herculean challenge. Imagine a world where every step, every journey, every simple task becomes an obstacle course. Public transportation is often inaccessible, sidewalks and buildings are not always designed with inclusivity in mind, and even something as basic as getting into a car can be a hurdle. This lack of mobility doesn’t just restrict physical movement; it confines lives, dreams, and aspirations.
Well, meet Samir Kakkad, someone with very high willpower and courage enough to write his own story. Samir isn’t your everyday mechanical engineer. With an 80 per cent disability in both legs, you might expect him to be constrained by his physical limitations. Think again. Samir has dedicated his life to empowering disabled individuals, ensuring that they too can taste the freedom of the open road. He operates a workshop — no, a freedom factory — where he modifies our everyday automobiles into disabled-friendly vehicles. Despite his physical challenges, Samir’s achievements are nothing short of extraordinary, and his story is an example of resilience and determination.
Born in the northern part of Gujarat, Samir has faced a multitude of challenges since childhood due to his disability. But adversity only fueled his determination When he entered his teenage years, Samir had a dream — a dream of driving a vehicle on his own. With nothing but wooden sticks and ingenuity, he created his first mechanism to operate the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals by hand in his family’s Fiat 1100D. The sensation was nothing short of liberating.
His father, a supportive doctor, encouraged Samir in this journey. With his father’s backing, Samir developed a more sophisticated variant of his mechanism — a plug-and-play lever system that allowed him to drive legally and with ease. This breakthrough not only changed Samir’s life but also caught the attention of others.
One day, while Samir was out driving, the parents of another disabled individual noticed his peculiar setup. Intrigued, they inquired about the contraption. When Samir explained that he had made it himself, it dawned on him that he was not alone in his struggle. The need for such mobility solutions was vast and largely unmet.
In 1993, Samir set up Saikia Mobility Hub in Ahmedabad. Here, he began retrofitting vehicles with hand-operated mobility devices. Word spread quickly about his innovative solutions, and soon, his workshop became a beacon of hope for disabled individuals nationwide. Workshops from across India approached Samir, eager to incorporate his kits into their offerings.
Samir’s solutions were simple yet revolutionary, transforming everyday vehicles into freedom machines for those who needed them most. His workshop buzzed with activity, turning out modified cars that gave disabled individuals the independence they craved.
Fast forward 25 years and Samir’s impact is monumental. He has provided mobility solutions to over 10,000 disabled individuals, empowering them with the freedom to drive. His innovations have earned him patents and a reputation as a pioneer in adaptive vehicle technology.
His workshop currently modifies two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements to be registered in the ‘Invalid Carriage’ (IC) class of vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act. The latest iteration of his device includes a button-operated cruise control for both cars and two-wheelers, showcasing his commitment to innovation. He has even modified a Porsche Panamera for an individual in Ahmedabad!
But Samir’s reach extends beyond India. His mobility kits are now supplied to neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan, and even as far afield as Dubai. Each kit is a lifeline, a key to unlocking the world for someone who has been confined by their disability.
Samir’s commitment to the cause went beyond just modifying vehicles. He also became an advocate for the rights of disabled individuals. One such battle began when he was denied an international driving permit by the Gujarat RTO due to his disability. Determined not to be confined by bureaucratic red tape, Samir sued the state.
After a gruelling two-year legal battle in the high court, he emerged victorious, securing the first-ever international driving permit for a disabled person in Gujarat. This landmark victory opened the doors for other disabled individuals to drive internationally.
As a disabled individual himself, Samir has a profound understanding of the challenges faced by others in similar situations. His personal experiences have fueled his passion for advocacy, leading him to become an integral part of the advisory committee for Sugamya Bharat, India’s policy for disabled individuals and their rights for accessibility. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and accessible society.
In 2011, he conquered Khardung La in Leh-Ladakh, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. For the uninitiated, Khardung La is a place where even the bravest hearts tremble, but Samir drove through it with aplomb.
He didn’t stop there.
Samir also participated in a tri-nation rally, an adventure that took him from India to Nepal via Bhutan with Mahindra Adventure. Samir, behind the wheel of a self-modified Mahindra Scorpio S11 AT, conquered the international roads for the first time. It wasn’t just about navigating new terrains but also soaking in the rich cultural exchange. The landscapes of Nepal and Bhutan became the backdrop for his journey, symbolising a bridge between nations and proving that mobility and freedom know no borders.
Now, let’s talk records. Not just any records, but the kind that makes your jaw drop and your spirit soar. Samir holds the world record for the longest self-car drive by a specially-abled individual. He drove a Hyundai Tucson over 14,000 km, 15 countries, 105 cities, and eight time zones from India to London.
He shares with us, ‘Driving on the Autobahn in Germany was the fastest I’ve ever gone. It was an amazing experience, and sitting beside me was a very senior CXO from a major German automobile giant. He was fascinated by the unique mechanism I used to control the car. The precision and ease of use caught his attention, and he was particularly interested in having me engineer something similar for their vehicles. It was a moment of pride and validation for all the hard work and innovation that had gone into developing my mobility solutions.’
This epic journey not only showcased Samir’s willpower but also brought global attention to the potential and capabilities of disabled individuals.
The phrase ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ takes on new meaning in Samir’s context. For him, every kilometre driven is a step towards breaking stereotypes and expanding horizons. His journeys — both literal and metaphorical — have inspired a community and redefined what it means to be truly free.
