Gurugram: Hyundai Motor India Foundation has announced its support for para-athlete and electrical engineer Chandeep Singh as he prepares to drive more than 7,000 kilometres from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari and back in a specially modified Hyundai Creta — entirely using his feet.
The expedition, being undertaken under the Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative, is aimed at establishing a new benchmark in the Golden Book of Records. The journey will be officially documented and evaluated as part of the record-verification process.
Singh’s proposed route will take him through several states and varied terrains, turning the attempt into both an endurance challenge and a nationwide campaign promoting accessibility, inclusion and adaptive mobility.
Driving thousands of kilometres across India is demanding under any circumstances. Singh’s attempt, however, adds an extraordinary dimension: he will operate the modified vehicle solely with his feet, demonstrating how adaptive technology can help people overcome conventional mobility barriers.
The Hyundai Motor India Foundation, or HMIF, is the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited. Through ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, the organisation supports programmes related to assistive technologies, para-sports and mobility solutions for persons with disabilities.
“Through ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive society by promoting accessibility, empowerment and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Our initiatives across assistive technologies, para-sports development and mobility solutions are aimed at enabling greater independence, confidence and participation for all. Chandeep Singh’s remarkable expedition is a powerful reflection of this vision. His journey demonstrates how determination, when supported by the right support system, can overcome barriers and unlock extraordinary possibilities. HMIF is proud to support this historic endeavour and believe it will inspire millions across the country, encourage greater awareness around accessible mobility and reinforce the message that disability should never be a barrier to aspiration and achievement,” Hyundai Motor India Foundation said.
Beyond the record attempt, the expedition is intended to challenge conventional perceptions of disability and encourage wider discussion about inclusive infrastructure and accessible transportation.
The specially modified Hyundai Creta will be central to the journey, allowing Singh to control and drive the vehicle without using his hands. The company did not provide detailed technical specifications of the modifications in its announcement.
“Driving from Jammu to Kanyakumari and back is a dream that reflects years of perseverance, belief and preparation. This expedition is not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to demonstrate what is possible when individuals are empowered with the right support, accessible technology and an inclusive environment. I am proud to partner with Hyundai Samarth for this journey and deeply appreciate Hyundai’s commitment towards empowering persons with disabilities and supporting para-athletes through meaningful initiatives. The modified Hyundai Creta has become an extension of my vision, proving that innovation can turn the seemingly impossible into reality. I hope this journey inspires individuals across the nation to look past barriers and chase their dreams with absolute confidence,” Singh said.
The expedition will be accompanied by media outreach, grassroots engagement programmes and awareness activities centred on accessibility and inclusion. These initiatives are expected to encourage conversations about assistive mobility and the need to create public and social environments in which persons with disabilities can participate independently and with dignity.
For Hyundai, the record attempt also extends the scope of its ‘Samarth’ programme beyond conventional corporate social responsibility projects. Rather than keeping the conversation parked at policy statements, the expedition will take the message of inclusive mobility quite literally onto the road.
The journey’s eventual recognition will depend on the documentation and evaluation conducted under the Golden Book of Records process. Regardless of the final record outcome, however, Singh’s expedition is likely to draw attention to a broader issue: accessible technology can do more than improve mobility — it can expand personal independence, professional opportunity and participation in public life.
As Singh travels from the northern end of the country to its southern tip and back, the expedition will measure more than distance. It will also test how far determination, inclusive design and institutional support can travel together in changing perceptions around disability.
