The 4-year old Car Manufacturer (Part 2)

Recap: After a series of interesting(!) events, I became the Youngest Wannabe Car Manufacturer of All-Time

Soon enough, I grew up to nurture my interest in automobiles. Within a few months, I was able to spot any motorbike just by the sound of its exhaust.

Here’s a small example I remember, slightly dramatized:)

Sound from outside: […thump-thump-thump…]

Neighbour (Talking to my dad) : What bike was that?

Me: It’s a Bullet, uncle!

N: (shocked)

Another one: […vrrrr..vrrr…] or something lyk that..

N: Bet you couldn’t tell this one, kid..

Me: Ind-Suzuki, of course!

N: x-P

Note: Don’t think I kept up that 'form', though.. Flash-forward to now,

Sound from the road: […cough..cough... sputter..]

Dad: Did you hear that? Which bike is it, Arjun?

Older Me: An old one, of course.. Who cares!!

(maybe its our pre-historic Rajdoot..:P Anyway, flashback to my 5-year old self..)

While going out, I caught site of any ‘Car and Bike’ Magazine on the bookstands and pestered Dad to buy them for me. Mom joined my side and ensured that he got me one. They weren’t cheap, mind you.. 150 rupees in 1992 was a big deal, especially considering it was for a boy who didn’t even know how to spell properly. But those books made me good enough to differentiate Ferraris from BMWs. They were the reason I gathered some interest in Auto Quizzing

The really amusing part was when relatives (and school teachers in class sometimes) used to ask what I wanted to be. Without any hesitation, I’d reply, “Car Manufacturer”. Shocked the hell out of them, all right.. Every time, it brought their best reactions out of them, be it facial or otherwise..:) After recovering from their dazed expressions, a few of them would encourage me, while most would try ‘advising’ me and my parents. To no avail, of course.. Even when I was three feet tall, I’d set my ambitions sky high, and never even thought of budging away from it.. And so did my parents. I’m really thankful to them for letting me pursue my passion. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be the car-nut that I am now

But then, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I grew up. Grew up to learn how tough it actually is to become a car manufacturer. Grew up to face reality. To embrace the ‘average’ life. I began to think that living the life of an engineer isn’t such a bad thing, after all. The naysayers finally had their way, and reason started to creep inside my mind. By the time I got my job, that dream had all but vanished from memory. I was looking forward to be just another one of those million automobile engineers who had a passion towards cars..

Except that this ‘kid’ in me stubbornly refused to grow up. Every now and then, he would crop up in my brain (like one of those manasaatchi characters in Balachander films, or a split personality, if u prefer Shankar) and remind me the true objective that I had set myself. I’d try telling him why I couldn’t do it, blah blah.. We’d never get around to a consensus, but one point was finally established. For now, I shall pursue my current path and be a ‘regular’ engineer, but I shall not forget my ultimate ambition in life – to be a car manufacturer!

If you don’t understand what I really mean by the above lines, then so do I.. This post has to come to an end, right?

P.S: If you know of any bankrupt carmakers who are in need of a lousy GM (no pun intended), do tell me.. I’ll b more than happy to acknowledge your offer..=)

P.P.S:

Upon popular request (?), i've posted a picture of the 'kiddo' me in a ride. My first car this.. Rode it for 4 years until it could bear my weight no more. I've done some nifty tricks with this one, figuring out the brakes when there were none (don't let the pedals move), reversing the car (pedal in reverse, of course) and carrying 3 ppl on the 'bonnet'.. If you want any proof, just look at the condition of the front wheels..:D