It has been a childhood dream for her to drive a car. “No one had approved of my dream to drive a car but still I went for it,” she told Tyre Trends. Her parents were worried and didn’t let her drive as it was physically challenging for her, she proved them wrong. It was only after her father saw the way she drove the car his mind was at peace. There were people who gave both negative and positive comments on her passion for driving but she was determined in learning to drive a car.
“My father is now fully supportive of my passion to drive. He accompanies me to the court whenever there is a need for it. He has been the pillar of support throughout my fight.”
Jilumol, already a star in national media, learned to drive inside her hostel grounds of Mercy Nursing Home, where she grew up after the death of her mother. She practices in her car daily on the very same ground. Unfortunately, she has to satisfy her passion for driving inside the confined walls of the hostel itself.
She has been struggling her way to get her learner’s licence passed. She at first learned to get her steering balance in a normal unaltered car. She didn’t feel the usual sense of fear any girl would have they first sit behind the wheels but instead Jilumol’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
She became more and more eager to get her licence but didn’t know what to do. She had tried to contact Vikram Agnihotri, a similarly handicapped man from Indore, India, who drives his car on the road with his legs. She just wanted to know how he got his licence passed but when she asked about the same to him, he didn’t respond.
It was when she went to take a seminar in a school in Kumily, Kerala, she met Adv. Shine Varghese. It was him who informed her about the possibility of getting her licence through the High Court. Adv. Shine Varghese along with Adv. Hariharan had helped her throughout the process.
In the year 2018, February, she had approached the court for her licence and by July last of the same year, she got a positive judgment from the court. The court had asked the Thodupuzha RTO to accept her learner licence and also asked Jilumol to get a car altered according to her needs.
She got a custom-built Maruti Celerio Automatic car, which she got altered with the help of Biju Varghese from Erumeli, a physically challenged man who had altered his car according to his necessity. The only alteration Jilumol needed was to get the accelerator and brake pedals risen to her height. After she got her car altered, she learned to drive it all by herself using her feet.
When she went to get her car registered, the vehicle inspector insulted her by saying that he won’t register a car for a person who doesn’t have any arms to drive it. Till date, she has not been able to register her car, and since her car is not registered, she has not been able to attempt the learner’s exam.
Caring the tyres
She takes care of her car like it is her own baby and sees that she keeps takes good care of it. “Air pressure of the tyre of a car is the most important thing that needs to be checked every now and then. As of now, I drive my car every day inside the hostel compound. If there is any problem with the tyre pressure, we would automatically know it. For those who drive their car on the road only will easily be able to understand the fault in the tyre pressure,” she said.
When asked about her dream car, she pointed at her own. She longs for the day when she can drive it on busy roads of her native place. She is still on the fight to get her car registered and get a driving licence.
The artist
Jilumol is a foot artist under the Mouth and Foot Association, an association of about 700 artists that promotes mouth and foot artists around the world. She is also a graphic art designer professionally, currently working at Viani Printings in Ernakulam. No matter how hard things can get for her, she will never stop fighting for what she longs for.
“I started from where you stopped. If I can go this far, you can do much more’, says Jilumol Mariet Thomas.
Toyo Tire Tyres Selected For New Mazda CX-5 in North America
- By TT News
- May 21, 2026
Toyo Tire Corporation said its OPEN COUNTRY H/T tyres have been selected as original equipment for the new Mazda Motor Corporation CX-5 crossover SUV, which went on sale in North America in March 2026.
The tyres supplied for the model are size 225/55R19 99V.
Mazda developed the new CX-5 under the concept of “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort”, focusing on design, driving performance, interior spaciousness, ride comfort and reduced cabin noise.
Toyo Tire said the OPEN COUNTRY H/T was developed using its Nano Balance Technology material design platform and T-MODE tyre design support technology. The company said the tyres were designed to support the vehicle’s ride comfort and driving stability.
The tyres will be supplied for vehicles sold in North America and other markets.
Vehicle and tyre overview
|
Model |
Tyre pattern |
Tyre size |
Market |
|
Mazda CX-5 |
OPEN COUNTRY H/T |
225/55R19 99V |
North America and other markets |
Toyo Tires Secures Sole OEM Tyre Supply For Toyota Yaris Cross In Malaysia
- By TT News
- May 19, 2026
Toyo Tires has reinforced its position as a preferred original equipment manufacturer partner for major automotive brands by securing a new agreement to supply tyres for the all-new Toyota Yaris Cross in Malaysia. The 1.5 litre variant of the compact sport utility vehicle will be fitted with the Proxes R61 tyre in size 215/55R18 95V.
The Japanese tyre maker was recently named the sole original equipment tyre supplier for another Toyota model, the all-new Vios Hybrid Electric Vehicle launched in the Malaysian market. That vehicle utilises the Proxes CR1 tyre, continuing a partnership that spans decades of original equipment experience and underscores the confidence automakers place in the brand’s quality, performance and reliability across diverse vehicle segments.
Every original equipment tyre from Toyo Tires is specifically engineered to match the unique characteristics of the vehicle it serves, aiming to optimise comfort and enhance overall driving performance. Whether for daily commutes or longer journeys, each tyre is designed to deliver a refined and confident driving experience.
NEXEN TIRE Supplies ROADIAN CTX As OE Tyres For Hyundai STARIA Electric And Limousine
- By TT News
- May 18, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has confirmed its original equipment supply of the ROADIAN CTX tyre for Hyundai Motor Company’s new STARIA Electric and STARIA Limousine models. The STARIA Electric, a practical multi-purpose vehicle, features an electric powertrain producing high instant torque, while its increased weight demands superior tire durability and ride quality. The premium STARIA Limousine similarly requires enhanced comfort and stability.
Engineered to meet these challenges, the ROADIAN CTX was developed using NEXEN TIRE’s artificial intelligence-based performance prediction system to optimise ride quality across diverse driving conditions. The tyre provides all-season reliability, blending ride comfort with greater durability and maintains handling and structural strength under high-load, high-torque scenarios. It will be fitted to domestic versions and export vehicles for Europe, Oceania, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.
NEXEN TIRE follows a one-tyre strategy to deliver optimised performance across electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. The company already supplies original equipment for key Hyundai models such as the Palisade, NEXO and IONIQ 6, along with vehicles from other premium global brands. With the Hyundai STARIA addition, NEXEN TIRE has expanded its purpose-built vehicle lineup beyond the Kia PV5.
"With this OE supply, we have demonstrated that our one-tyre strategy for both electric and internal combustion vehicles works in the real market. We will continue working closely with automakers to deliver tyres optimised for every powertrain," said a NEXEN TIRE official.
Pirelli Develops Two Distinct P Zero Fitments With Elect Technology For BMW iX3
- By TT News
- May 16, 2026
Pirelli has outfitted the new BMW iX3 with two unique tyre specifications, each targeting a different driving priority for the electric vehicle. One fitment focuses on sharp, responsive handling, while the other enhances the inherent strengths of an electric drivetrain. Both options fall under the brand’s high-performance P Zero family, which is defined by continuous material innovation.
Engineered for BMW’s inaugural Neue Klasse model, an all-new EV platform, both tyres feature Pirelli Elect technology. This system extends driving range, increases comfort and improves durability through low rolling resistance and bespoke design solutions. The technology directly addresses the specific mechanical demands of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The P Zero E variant has achieved a triple A rating on the European tyre label and contains over 55 percent sustainable and reclaimed materials. These attributes helped it win the ADI Compasso d’Oro International Award at Expo 2025 in Osaka, a first for any tyre in history. Beyond the award, its construction lowers rolling resistance for better energy use, while reduced cabin noise elevates the quiet ride expected from a zero-emission model.
Meanwhile, the specialised fifth-generation P Zero is built to manage the instant torque delivery of powerful electric motors, preserving stability and precision at higher speeds. An artificial intelligence-developed compound enables shorter braking distances and track-proven cornering grip. This model prioritises raw performance and safety, complementing the P Zero E’s focus on environmental life-cycle management and chassis responsiveness.
Pirelli supplies the P Zero in 20-inch uniform and 21-inch staggered sizes, with the P Zero E offered exclusively in a 22-inch staggered setup. Virtual simulation work at Pirelli’s German development centre and BMW’s Munich driving simulator cut physical prototyping by roughly one third and reduced development time by 30 percent. Both tyres carry BMW’s sidewall star marking, the result of close collaboration with the Munich automaker to maximise the iX3’s overall capability.
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