New Delhi:

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has praised the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras startup that is developing an electric flying taxi, saying that the institution has become one of the world’s most “exciting and active incubators”.

“A company is being incubated at IIT Madras to build a flying electric taxi by sometime next year,” Mahindra posted on X.

Thanking the institution, he further said that with the rapidly growing number of ambitious incubators throughout India, “we’re no longer seen as a country that lacks genuine innovators”.

“Audacious aspirations matter. Accept no limits,” Mr Mahindra wrote.

The eplane company.

A company being incubated at IIT Madras to build a flying electric taxi by sometime next year…

IIT Madras has become one of the WORLD’s most exciting and active incubators.

Thanks to them and the rapidly growing number of ambitious incubators throughout… pic.twitter.com/Ijb9Rd2MAH

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 10, 2024

Since being shared, his post has been viewed by more than 190K times. Several users also shared their thoughts in the comments.

“Exciting times, this is audacious thinking taking root. With our immense talent pool and a supportive environment, Indian innovators are truly taking flight,” a user wrote.

“India’s incubators are hatching the future, and IIT Madras is leading the charge with their electric flying taxi project. This is the kind of innovation that puts a country on the map and inspires the next generation of dreamers and doers,” another user said.

Earlier this week, IIT Madras said that it raised an all-time high amount of Rs 513 crore in funding from its alumni, industry and individual donors during the financial year 2023-24.

The institute also attracted total new pledges of Rs 717 crore from alumni and corporate partners during FY24.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

On Engineers’ Day, Industrialist Anand Mahindra praised the efforts of Dashrath Manjhi, who cut a road through a mountain in Bihar’s Gaya district. Mr Mahindra said Mr Manjhi achieved the impossible despite not being computer literate. He came to be known as the ‘Mountain Man of India’ for his determination and perseverance. It took Mr Manjhi 22 years to build the 300-metre-long and 25-feet-wide road. He was rewarded by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In 2016, Indian Post issued a postage stamp featuring Mr Manjhi.

“On #EngineersDay2023 I bow low to this man. No, he wasn’t an engineer. No, he didn’t graduate from any Institute of Technology. No he wasn’t even computer literate nor did he design any machines. But he believed what every true Engineer believes:: “NOTHING is impossible”,” Mr Mahindra said in his post on X (formerly Twitter).

On #EngineersDay2023 I bow low to this man. No, he wasn’t an engineer. No, he didn’t graduate from any Institute of Technology. No he wasn’t even computer literate nor did he design any machines. But he believed what every true Engineer believes:: “NOTHING is impossible.” https://t.co/zwyDe4Swr0

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 15, 2023

His post amassed more than 1.6 lakh views in a few hours.

“For me, engineering was all about not giving up. Finding a way. Proud to be an engineer. It’s not a degree, it’s a lifestyle for me,” commented one user.

“Dashrath Manjhi is inspiration for billions of people,” said another. “Must have been an engineer in last birth sir,” a third user said.

Mr Manjhi, who lived in Nagar village in Gaya district, worked from 1960 to 1982 to create the road. His efforts linked Ghivra Mauja of Dashrath Nagar, in Gehlaur Ghati to Atara Prakhand, Wajirganj, reducing the distance from 75 km to just one km.

Mr Manjhi died in 2007 at the age of 70.