A student in Coimbatore is literally driving home the message of organ donation to mark India’s Independence Day.

Kapilan Thirumavalavan, a second year BCom student of PSG Arts and Science College, has used his car as a vehicle for his idea of celebrating the Independence Day by embellishing it with stickers, capturing the fervour.

“My Ford Eco Sport bears stickers of the Tricolour on both sides, Swachh Bharat on the centre of the bonnet, a colourful charkha on the spare wheel, and a QR code on the fuel tank cap.”

The QR code is central to my Independence Day drive as it holds the organ donation message, the 18-year-old explained.

“We have to just let the smartphone installed with the QR App to read the code to get the organ donation message on the screen.”

Starting yesterday, Kapilan has driven 200km in his car dressed up for the occasion, arousing the curiosity of onlookers.

“I’m planning to drive around for the next one week and hoping to get as much support as possible for organ donation,” said Kapilan, who has spent about Rs7,000 for stickers and fuel.

“I was inspired to do something towards promoting organ donation when I came to know that August 13 was World Organs Donation Day. I chose the Independence Day to launch this drive,” said the NRI from Qatar, who is also studying Chartered Accountancy.

How did Kapilan, who has been residing in India for the past one year, hit upon the idea of using a car to spread the Independence Day zest?

“I have lived in many Gulf countries, and there, national days are celebrated with car parades, with the vehicles adorning flags, stickers and symbols of national pride. So I thought why not try this in my own country, though I had to go it alone,” he said.

While his friend Arun gave him the ideas to carry forward the mission, his brother Akilan supported and encouraged him and “even promised to keep this effort a secret from my parents till I sprung it as a surprise on them,” Kapilan said with a laugh.

Not just us, Sun Stickers on Lakshmi Mills Road, the company that put up the stickers on the car, also readily agreed to help me despite a busy weekend, he said.

Saying his parents will welcome this idea, he pointed out that in our country cars are driven around for celebrating movie releases, but why not for something as important as the Independence Day.

Hoping to become an entrepreneur, Kapilan said he wants to specialize in waste management, a challenging proposition for the country.

“India generates a huge amount of waste and it needs major expertise to streamline it and recycle efficiently,” said Kapilan, who has witnessed best practices in waste management in other countries.

“I wish all Indians a very Happy Independence Day, says Kapilan as he gets prepared to step on the gas.