In a remarkable display of innovation, 28-year-old Julhas Mollah, an electronic mechanic from Shaitghar Teota village in Shibalaya upazila, has successfully built and flown a radio-controlled aircraft of his own design, earning widespread admiration from his community.
The historic flight took place on Tuesday at 11 AM, when Julhas’s aircraft took off from Jamuna Char in Jafarganj, drawing a massive crowd of onlookers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, local representatives, and residents from various backgrounds.
Originally from Baghutia in Daulatpur upazila, Julhas and his family relocated to Shaitghar Teota due to river erosion. The fifth among six brothers and two sisters, he completed his SSC from Zionpur High School in 2014 but could not continue his studies due to financial hardships.
Recalling his journey, Julhas shared how his fascination with aviation began. "After my SSC, I started working as an electronic mechanic in Dhaka. About four years ago, I became interested in making an airplane using small remote controls. Later, I dreamed of building an ultralight aircraft, but my early attempts failed," he said.
Determined to succeed, he dedicated a year to perfecting his design, using pump engines, aluminum, and stainless steel due to budget constraints. The final aircraft weighs approximately 100 kg, features a digital speedometer and aluminum fans, and runs on octane or petrol, reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour.
"I have never traveled in a plane, but building and flying my own has been a dream come true," Julhas said.
Julhas’s younger brother, Nayan Mollah, played a vital role in the project. "From the beginning, I supported my brother. We worked tirelessly for a year, spending five to six hours daily researching and constructing the aircraft," he said.
Initially, Julhas faced skepticism from both his family and the local community. However, their doubts turned into applause as they witnessed his achievement.
Mosharraf Hossain, chairman of Teuta Union, acknowledging Julhas’s perseverance, he says, "At first, people thought he was chasing an impossible dream. But now, everyone is celebrating his success. With proper training and support from the government or private sector, he can accomplish even greater things."
Impressed by his innovation, Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Monwar Hossain Molla expressed his appreciation saying, "It’s inspiring to see such ingenuity from a young man in a remote village. The government will support his research, and as an initial encouragement, he has been given financial assistance."
With the right resources and guidance, Julhas Mollah’s aviation journey is only beginning, paving the way for young innovators in Bangladesh to dream big and reach new heights.