My idea of motoring — be it a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler — is that it is a tool of convenience rather than a conveyance. I often see people considering owning vehicles as a symbol of status. But, for me, the idea of possessing a motor vehicle is for my convenience.
My first vehicle was a second-hand Hero Majestic, bought for me by my father when I turned 18. I remember he bought it for me with great difficulty. This was during the days when petrol was available for ₹7.50 per litre. I still remember that vividly. It was a second-hand vehicle. That was my first connection with a motor or the mechanics of a vehicle.
Most of the time, we did not have the money to fill in the vehicle with fuel. We would ride it across the city and push when it stopped. Then I progressed to a car. It was a gift from my father — a second-hand Maruti Omni. I was a little apprehensive to drive it, yet I was excited at the same time to sit behind the wheel. I still remember I drove it around Austin Town in Bengaluru for the very first time, and my knees were knocking, as I did not know the basics of driving. So I enrolled in a driving school, where I learnt driving in an ambassador car. It had an additional steering wheel and brake. One day, as I was on the road, I saw a dog sleeping in the middle of the road. My trainer had not noticed it, and luckily, my sixth sense worked, and I am still thankful that I did not run over it.
Then I started driving the Maruti Omni and would wash it thrice a week and keep it sparkling clean. There would be days when I would start cleaning the car early in the morning and continue to clean it until midnight.
When I started, I bought a Ford Ikon. Many cars have come and gone since, but the first will always remain first and close to your heart.
Today, youngsters do not care for the technological aspects of the vehicle. When I got my car as a teenager, I spent most of my time with the mechanic. I would just sit with him through the day, trying to understand how the car works. I was fascinated with its functioning aspects too. How the differential worked, the horn or how the fuel gets converted — these aspects fascinated me.
Sadly, today, most of us drive, but hardly anyone knows the mechanism behind it.
Wheels should never be bought to satisfy your whims or fancy. When I look at an ambulance or a fire engine, I feel good that they are in use for a purpose.
As told to Shilpa Sebastian R
