This month, we proudly celebrate Mr. Srikanta Kumar Sahoo, Deputy Manager in the Testing Department at Kinetic. His story is more than a career milestone—it’s a journey of passion, persistence, and innovation that connects India’s rich automotive heritage with its electric future.
A Childhood Dream That Sparked a Journey
Srikanta’s connection with the Kinetic DX began long before he joined the company. As a young boy, he admired his neighbour’s DX. For him, it wasn’t just a scooter—it was freedom on two wheels. He would often request a ride, dreaming of the day he could own one himself. But by the time he was ready to buy, the DX had already been discontinued. That dream, however, didn’t end there. Years later, destiny brought him an even bigger opportunity: the chance to help reinvent the Kinetic DX as an EV.
Building the Testing Department from Scratch
When Srikanta joined Kinetic, the EV Testing Department was still at an early stage. Nothing existed, no components, no structured processes, no systems. He had to start from zero. With guidance from Kinetic’s leadership, he began by converting ICE scooters into EV prototypes and slowly built a framework for validation. Piece by piece, he developed a dedicated testing space. Here, vehicles and parts could be checked for:
- Component durability
- Vehicle-level performance
- Finishing and reliability standards
In many ways, this was not just technical work but also a foundation for the future of Kinetic’s EV journey. His persistence laid the groundwork for the automotive OEM partnerships, automotive parts manufacturers, and supply chains that would support the rebirth of the DX.
Testing Challenges and Breakthroughs
Developing the new DX EV was not easy. Every feature demanded careful testing to ensure it could perform in real-life conditions.
- Easy Charge: The retractable charging cable had to withstand constant use.
- Easy Flip Footrest: It was tested for both convenience and long-term durability.
- Performance and Range: The team benchmarked the DX against leading EV scooters to ensure competitiveness.
Each test came with obstacles, but Srikanta and his team turned them into stepping stones. The automotive industry thrives on overcoming such hurdles, and his journey embodies the spirit of collaboration among Pune’s auto parts manufacturers, India’s auto component makers, and the country’s leading automotive OEMs who drive innovation forward.
A Personal Connection to the DX
For Srikanta, the DX is not just another project. It is deeply personal. He grew up admiring it, and today he plays a role in shaping its return. “At the beginning, it was only an idea,” he recalls. “With the right guidance, effort, and teamwork, that idea became a product in my hands, a scooter that blends nostalgia with innovation.” This full-circle moment makes his work not just a professional success but the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
The Bigger Picture: Automotive Industry and Supply Chains
Srikanta’s journey is also a reflection of how India’s automotive manufacturing companies are adapting to change. Electric vehicles are not built in isolation; they are the result of strong supply chains, OEM partnerships, and auto components manufacturers in India working together. From gear manufacturers in India to gear shaft manufacturers in Pune, from motorcycle spare parts manufacturers in India to automotive spare parts suppliers in PCMC, every player contributes to creating reliable EVs. The Kinetic DX EV is proof of this collaboration. Pune, often called the Detroit of India, plays a central role. The city is home to automotive manufacturing companies, auto parts manufacturers, and OEM suppliers who power innovation in mobility. Srikanta’s story is a reminder that behind every successful EV stands a vast network of automotive parts suppliers, gear manufacturing companies, and auto parts manufacturers in India.
Innovation Rooted in Heritage
The rebirth of the DX EV is also about balance, between heritage and progress. The familiar design brings back memories of the 90s, while the new features make it relevant for modern riders. For Kinetic, this is possible because of its ties with automotive OEM manufacturers and auto parts manufacturers in Pune. Partnerships with automotive parts suppliers in India allow innovation without losing touch with the brand’s history. This balance is what makes the DX stand apart—it’s not just another EV, but a trusted name redesigned for the future.
What Srikanta’s Journey Teaches Us
Srikanta’s story offers lessons not just for engineers, but for the entire automotive industry in India:
- Passion fuels innovation: His admiration for the DX as a child became the foundation for his career.
- Strong supply chains matter: Without the support of automotive parts manufacturers in India and Pune, even the best ideas remain ideas.
- OEM partnerships drive growth: By working with automotive OEM companies, brands like Kinetic can adapt to new technologies quickly.
- Heritage has value: Innovation doesn’t mean abandoning the past; it means building on it.
A Proud Chapter in Kinetic’s Legacy
Today, the Kinetic DX EV is more than a scooter; it is a symbol of how heritage brands can evolve. For Srikanta, it is also the fulfilment of a personal dream. From admiring a scooter in his neighborhood to testing its reborn electric version, his story is inspiring for everyone in the automotive manufacturing industry in India. This recognition as Member of the Month is not only about his achievements in testing but also about his role in connecting Kinetic’s past with its future. His persistence, creativity, and leadership are proof that innovation always begins with passion.
Conclusion
The story of Srikanta Kumar Sahoo is a reminder that the automotive world is not just about machines; it is about people, dreams, and innovation. His journey captures the essence of the automotive industry, OEM partnerships, supply chains, and auto parts manufacturers in Pune and India who make progress possible. The Kinetic DX EV now stands as proof of both nostalgia and innovation. And behind that proof is Srikanta, a boy who once admired a scooter and is now helping shape India’s mobility revolution.
