In an astonishing feat of innovation, 28-year-old Julhas Mollah, an electronic mechanic from Shaitghar Teota village in Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj, has successfully flown a radio-controlled aircraft of his own creation, capturing the admiration of his community.

The aircraft took off from Jamuna char in Jafarganj around 11am on Tuesday, drawing a crowd of hundreds.

Deputy commissioner of Manikganj, upazila nirbahi officer, public representatives, and people from various walks of life were present there to witness this remarkable achievement.

Originally from Baghutia in Daulatpur upazila, Julhas and his family relocated to Shaitgar Teota due to river erosion.

The fifth among six brothers and two sisters, Julhas completed his SSC from Zionpur High School in 2014 but was unable to pursue further education due to financial constraints.

Recounting his journey, Julhas said, “After my SSC, I had to start working as an electronic mechanic in Dhaka. About four years ago, I developed an interest in making an airplane using small remote controls. Later, I dreamt of building an ultralight aircraft, but my initial attempts were unsuccessful.”

After a year of dedicated efforts, he finally succeeded. The aircraft, constructed using pump engines, aluminium, and stainless steel due to budget limitations, weighs around 100kg.

It features a digital speedometer and aluminium fans, with an engine that operates on octane or petrol, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour.

“A few days ago, I successfully flew the aircraft,” he shared. “I have never travelled in a plane, but building and flying my own has been a dream come true.”

Julhas’s younger brother, Nayan Mollah, played a crucial role in the project. “I was with my brother from the start. We never lost hope, dedicating five to six hours daily over the past year to researching and constructing the aircraft,” he said.

Mosharraf Hossain, chairman of Teuta union, said, “At first, his family and the locals doubted him, thinking he was chasing an impossible dream. But now, everyone is applauding his efforts. If he receives proper training and support from the government or private sector, he can achieve even greater things.”

Deputy Commissioner Monwar Hossain Molla also expressed his appreciation. “I came to see this impressive innovation firsthand. It’s inspiring to witness such ingenuity from a young man in a remote village. The government will support his research and as an initial encouragement, he has been provided with some financial assistance.”

With the right guidance and resources, Julhas’ journey in aviation may just be taking off, opening new possibilities for young innovators in Bangladesh.