Wheels of Fortune

Paralysed waist down, Biju Varghese modifies cars for the physically challenged to drive

A road accident has the potential to turn one’s life upside down. In the case of 38-year-old Biju Varghese, an electronic mechanic from Kottayam in Kerala, a bike accident that left him paralysed waist down 12 years ago was the beginning of his fortunes. It enabled him to be the recipient this year of a unique licence issued by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to make alterations in cars to let them be driven by differently abled people. For this innovation, Biju had in 2007 also got the President’s ‘best inventor’ award.

Biju developed a taste for electronics at an early age. The son of a small-scale farmer, he studied till Class XII and then started assisting his brother-in-law, an electrician. He taught himself to make and assemble electronic devices like chokes, stabilisers and inverters. In 1999, at the age of 26, he had his tragic accident. “I wanted to end my life. But I tried my best to avoid slipping into depression. I convinced myself that I was fortunate enough to have healthy hands, heart and brain. That I was more fortunate than those who were paralysed neck down.”

Soon, Biju restarted making electronic chokes and stabilisers at home. Marketing them proved a challenge initially. He hired a taxi and visited hospitals, factories and shops to procure orders. The business grew slowly, and in 2003, Biju realised a long-cherished dream—to own a car. He bought himself a brand-new WagonR.

Biju, though, had no plans of employing a driver. For years, he had toyed with the idea of building a ‘handy car’ that could allow differently-abled people to drive. “During my bed-ridden days, I had watched a National Geographic programme on the US President’s aircraft. The cockpit amazed me; such a luxurious aircraft was controlled by just a set of handy levers,” he says.

Thus came the idea of a hand-held device that could enable absolute control of a four-wheeler, including clutch, brake and accelerator. Biju experimented with his own car, and it was a grand success. The device attracted media attention and Biju started receiving orders. In 2007, he was recommended for the best inventor award.

Then started the struggle to attain the ARAI license. The Kerala government took four years to forward his application. The ARAI then invited him for a test in Pune. Biju drove his own car all the way there from Kochi. Now, Biju has the licence to alter 13 models, including those of Skoda, Ford, Volkswagen and Nissan.

“If that accident had not happened, I would have remained an electrician known to nobody,” he beams.

inventorKottayamphysically challenged