#proloy

Proloy looks like a macho guy, but he is soft and sweet like a marshmallow. He listens to sentimental songs like you are beautiful and straight from the heart when alone at night. He often goes to swimming pool, though so far no spicy story has happened to him. Keen to splash up others’ lives, Proloy joined Build Dreams Project and designed a special tricycle for handicapped children in rural Thailand. Hopefully, the tricycle will be like a 'wing' for those children to travel easily to school and fly high to pursue their dreams!

By Wang Lin

Dream building team: Anjelo Francis Denis, Namchok Petsaen and Proloy Deb

Lin: How did you join Build Dreams Project?

Proloy: It was the idea of my inspiring friend Namchok. Due to an accident at age 14, he has to rely on a wheelchair to go around. It was always a struggle for him to go to school, especially when the school was far and the road was poorly maintained. When Namchok came to AIT, the uneven roads and long distance between classroom, dorm and canteen also posed great challenges to him. Often he had sore muscles and sweat through his shirt, from pushing the wheelchair. Relating his own experience to the situation of many handicapped students living in the rural areas, Namchok couldn't help pondering over one question: how to make it easier for them to go to school? Since schooling is the key to a happy and productive life, Namchok felt the responsibility to take action and help his peers. So he decided to call on his AIT friends to design a more user-friendly tricycle.

For me, I always want to help those who need help and I am good at designing mechanical parts. So when I heard Namchok's call, I jumped in!

Lin: How is the project progress so far?

Proloy: We have come up with the first test model and met several donors who are interested in making it into production. The magical part of our tricycle is one motorized accessory which can be easily clamped on and off the wheelchair. Powered by a battery, it is like a 'motorbike wheelchair'. Fast and easy!

We hope it will be like a 'wing' for poor handicapped students. They can travel easily to school and fly high to pursue their dreams! Support us at www.builddreamsproject.org!

Lin: Is AIT treating you so well that you have gained so much weight?

Proloy: I did not indulge myself with too much Thai food! I used to work out frequently and take protein capsules to gain muscles. But when my workload got heavier, I stopped going to gym. Since then, my weight has ballooned up.

Lin: Secretly speaking, is it because you feed yourself with too much beer?

Proloy: Do I look like I have a beer belly? I drink only when I am in the mood. But once I was so tipsy that I slipped into my neighbor’s room and lay down on her bed. The next morning when I woke up, I saw she was squeezing herself on a little couch in the corner. I felt so guilty that I tiptoed quietly out of her room.

Lin: Tell us a story about your hometown Kailashahar.

Proloy: Kailashahar is a historical town in Northeastern India and is famous for the Unakoti hill. According to Hindu mythology dating back to the 9th century, one day when lord Shiva was traveling to Kashi with other gods and goddesses, he made a night stop at the hill. Shiva ordered everyone to wake up before sunrise and proceed for Kashi. However, the next morning, only Shiva himself woke up on time. He left angrily, cursing others to become stones. Now you see marvelous rock-cut images of gods and goddesses on the lush green mountains. And don't forget to enjoy the surrounding waterfalls!

Lin: What is the moral of the myth?

Proloy: Maybe get up early? But now I try to speed up my thesis. I usually stay awake until 6am and sleep after sunrise.

Lin: Do you think you are a shy guy?

Proloy: I am not shy! I talk to girls in the swimming pool.

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