With the launch of the SM-S1, their third-ever model car, this past 14^th of September, SolarMobil proved that dreams can come true. All it takes is the diligence and perseverance to see it through. This marvel of innovation was unveiled amidst much fanfare by Dr Gopalakrishna Prabhu, director of MIT, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H.S. Ballal, Joint Director of MIT, Dr Venkatraman Pai, and the Chief Guest, Superintendent of Police, M Sanjeev Patil.

Credits: The Photography Club, Manipal

When the shroud came off, what lay beneath glinted as spectacularly as the sun that would power it. So awe-inspiring was the product of sleepless nights, enervated days, and tireless semester breaks spent in the workshop. Emblems of sponsors were visible for all to see – a list of satisfied investors to be thanked for their belief and unrelenting support. These included heavyweights such as Tata Powersolar for solar cells and Element 14 for data acquisition components.

Following this, powerful speeches were delivered by those overseeing the ceremony, never to be forgotten by the curious and impressionable minds present in that room. Dr. G.K. Prabhu was his usual sprightly and zealous self – invoking examples of countless times this team had been under duress to counter last-minute glitches the day before a big-ticket event. It was a lesson that the saccharine taste of success is not without a fair share of bitter failures leading up to it.

Overjoyed by the accomplishments of his students, Dr. Ballal enthused that this was the ideal way of utilizing the nearly year-round exposure to sunlight this country is blessed by. Citing this as a reason not to simply conform to rote learning, he promised the university’s unrelenting support for any such dreams its students hoped to realize.Chief Guest Mr. Sanjeev Patil spoke of staying true to the spirit of Dr. T.M.A. Pai’s vision of a self-sufficient India with strides in innovations such as these and appealed to those in attendance never to give up.

The SM-S1. Credits: The Photography Club, Manipal

A presentation was then delivered on the specifications of the SM-S1, accompanied by a test run for all to witness the chief attraction of the day in action. This day will go down in history as a testimony that where there is a will, beacons of hope will guide you along the way.