A 21-year-old scientist from southern Jhenida district, who is a prolific inventor, claims that cars could be driven by wind power instead of fuel.

M Monzur Hasan Mamun, who told reporters recently that he had been receiving threats from sections that wished to claim his genius, said he had invented a wind-propelled vehicle that was able to travel at 25-30 km& an hour and can be used as an alternative to the man-driven rickshaw.

Mamun used video footage to show and described all his inventions, and sought government patronage for his projects. "My inventions can also make environmentalists happy," he told newsmen.

The young inventor who is waiting to be discovered, claims that he has also made an automatic water tap, which will work without touch. He has also devised a system to light a hundred-watt bulb using only one 12-volt battery.

Also among his collection is a tone-controlled machine that uses the voice to turn on gadgets, and an anti-insect device that will repel insects without using pesticide. The young man has just obtained a diploma in Electrical Engineering from southern Kushtia Polytechnic Institute in 1997.

But Mamun said he has not been able to get financial help from any quarter. "I applied for assistance to the Ministry of Science and Technology, but got no response," said Mamun.

He said his problems are not only financial, but there have been threats as well. He alleged that a vested quarter was threatening him for his innovate ability and wanted to claim his creations.

He said he was anxious to get his inventions patented. "If a scientist in a developed country invented these items, he would be famous and nobody would be able to take his patent. But unfortunately I'm still helpless," he said.

Without elaborating, he claimed that many countries through their men here in the country were pressuring him to give them his inventions. He said that everything he has done so far has been with the money his retired schoolteacher father was able to get as pension and by selling their land.