THE 100000th KM***********************************************
That’s right – Chintu, our car has now completed 1 lakh kilometres. Oh ok – I know what you must be thinking, how can someone name a car? Well, having lived with us for so long has almost breathed a life into him and hence the idea of naming him didn’t sound too weird. In case you found the name to be funny, all credits to Sangz for having christened him that way. Anyways wouldn’t go into the details of that here.
That’s right – Chintu, our car has now completed 1 lakh kilometres. Oh ok – I know what you must be thinking, how can someone name a car? Well, having lived with us for so long has almost breathed a life into him and hence the idea of naming him didn’t sound too weird. In case you found the name to be funny, all credits to Sangz for having christened him that way. Anyways wouldn’t go into the details of that here.
Following is an excerpt of the coverage from The Planet Times (dated 9-Oct)
************************************************
CHINTU TURNS 1 LAKH
(Pune – 5th Oct 2008 )
In an exclusive interview to his “Master”, Chintu gets candid about all the trials he had to face in achieving this milestone and his appreciation for his “Master” without whose helping hands (and feet) this would never have been possible (obviously..). Here’s a first hand account of all that transpired.
************************************************
CHINTU TURNS 1 LAKH
(Pune – 5th Oct 2008 )
In an exclusive interview to his “Master”, Chintu gets candid about all the trials he had to face in achieving this milestone and his appreciation for his “Master” without whose helping hands (and feet) this would never have been possible (obviously..). Here’s a first hand account of all that transpired.
************************************************
The date turned out to be 5th Oct 2008, when it was destined to “happen”. As I slipped into Chintu (hope am not sounding ‘horny’ here) I watched the kilometre reading display a proud 99998 and wondered how would that moment be when the last turn of the wheel would signal Chintu’s entry into the elite club of 1 lakh. Would the world stop and give a standing ovation to the man and his car for having achieved this? Would every car after that turn towards Chintu and bow in respect to acknowledge his great triumph?
I and Sangz had agreed before-hand that we would stop at that point in time and cut a cake in Chintu’s honour and needless to say, eat for him as well. We had gone shopping to Monginis the previous day to buy a strawberry cake which we felt and hoped that Chintu would approve of, needless to say to our eyes and tongue too. And we were all set to greet the day, the moment.
What follows here is a first hand conversation between Chintu and his “Master” –
************************************************
“So Chintu…it’s your big day today, eh? So how are you feeling?”
“Oh Master – haven’t slept all night, have been dreaming of this day, this moment in my life and cant believe I am alive to see this happen…and you know what Master, think I am doubly blessed…”
“And, why do you say that?”
“Oh – more than the 1 lakh thingy…I have always been hoping and prayin
g that I should be in your arms when that happens”
“Yeah – thank god that Sangz here doesn’t know driving… (Master thinks) and that she doesn’t have such a wild imagination to be hearing our chat”
“So Chintu…what has it been like…your journey until now…anything exciting from the usual? And oh – by all means don’t be humble in your praises for me and your criticism for the other drivers, my bro included!!!”
“Oh Master – don’t think words would be enough to praise you – but then would make an attempt when it comes to that point…”
Chintu starts off…“You know I come from a small town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, my registration numbers says it all…don’t quite remember my first master as very soon after he purchased me I switched hands to the Randys’ (that’s short for the Ramachandrans’ – sounds cool, eh?)…do you remember Master it was you who actually came to Salem to pick me up along with two others and how you sat in the back seat thinking as to how you would be driving such a big car? (I used to be driving only an 800 until then)”
“Oh yeah yeah…sheesh, didn’t know that you had a spark of life in you then?”
“Oh – I always had a heart but it’s just that only you cared to hear it…and that’s why I have always called you ‘Master’”
“And hey Chintu…remember our first long distance drive to Guruvayoor from Mettur and that was the ultimate driving test for me complete with the night and the rains…and daddy was all so impressed when we reached Mettur that he gave me the certificate of “excellent driving”... and my bro is still craving for that?)…thanks to you Chintu”
“Oh Master – I always knew that there was a Schumacher in you…heh heh”
“Chintooo…Schumacher is now history…I would rather prefer a Raikonnen here”
“Oh sure – su
re, that’s what I meant”
“Oh how I remember your daddy driving me over Mettur and Salem with your mommy sitting in the front seat, think you had gone away to Chennai to work and that used to drive me nuts, used to miss you so much”
“Hey Chintu…lets not talk about my daddy here, you know there are more chances of him reading this than my bro”
“Oops sure”
“Yeah – hey just 1km to go now…it might happen within the next minute or so”
“Cant believe it…anyways can’t forget the days in Bangalore when I used to be tormented under you bro’s careless and reckless driving, you know almost half of me has been replaced because of his “$%^& driving…I mean you can understand having an accident once or twice, but he was the limit”
“Yep – as they say an error committed more than once turns into a blunder”
“Yeah – sometimes with a bus, sometimes with a cyclist and once even when your daddy was around, he had my side mirror ripped off during an overtake and man that almost gave me the scare of my life, and you know what Master all those times I used to think where is my Master, where is my Master…but how did I know then that I would have to wait for a good two years for it to happen”
“And then the fateful day came – April 1st 2006 when you drove me from Bangalore to Chennai to make me a part of your life, I think I was around 60000 kms old then”
“Yeah – and that was the start of your good days”
“Master Master…I can feel it happening…I am changing…its like a new beginning of my life…its like having come to the end of the circle of life, or must I say beginning, a rebirth even…there it is for you to see…I am now 1000000 kms old”
Master stops Chintu by the side
************************************************
At this point both I and Sangz open up the cake decorated with the icing which read “Chintu 100000”, (the 10 had gone missing due to the road condition) and then time stood still as we cut the cake singing for Chintu. I didn’t know how to react and in that one fit of
excitement I caught hold of the steering wheel and gave him a big hug.
**********************
“So Chintu…that’s it, congratulations for having achieved the mark…its like a new start for you, how does it feel like?”
“Oh, thank you thank you (wiping the tears from his eyes)…I feel so new and energetic that I can live another 1 lakh kms, but then I know that may not happen”
“Hmm…its like we wishing for a second innings after having turned 100. (Master licks his hands smeared with cream) Umm…the cake is so yummy, wish you could join us in the feast buddy (all the time thinking otherwise)”
“So Chintu, any birthday wishes that you want me to fulfil - anything that you want as a gift?”
“Oh master – there is nothing that I wish or desire, you have given me everything that a car could wish for. You know all the other cars so damn wish that they belonged to you but I always quite them saying that I would never let that happen. You know that old Maruti 800 which is parked next to me in Golden Galaxy, man can you imagine that it is a 2001 make, a year younger to me and check out what it has become?”
“Thank you Chintu for all the nice words…don’t think I have the money to buy any more cars, not to talk of their maintenance –but is there something that you want?”
“Well Master, it’s not something big but then I really wish that you stop being such a nice guy and not overtake all those cars you fancy like CRV, Camerie, Volkswagen, etc”
(Master thinks “Man, what attitude? He is actually thinking that he is capable of overtaking all of them
, they are way beyond our league”)
“Yeah Chintu, agree that I do have the hots for them, it just that I like seeing their backs rather than their fronts (oops hope that wasn’t cheesy again?)”
(Chintu sulks,” Guess that’s what the others must be thinking when I overtake them”)
“So Chintu, have you made any resolutions for the new life?”
“Oh yes, there is this one thing that I want to start doing. You know every time I overtake some car I have this bad habit of jeering and passing some comments, think that is an area that I would like to improve upon.”
“You mean to say improve or reduce it?”
“Well didn’t want to use the word increase.”
“Ahem, oh ok. So have you had any girlfriends? Any one for whom you have had the hots?”
“Not anyone really but then you know the SWIFT is kinda a rage amongst us. After all who else amongst the cars can boast of such a rounded back?”
“Ah, now I know why you always insist that I have you parked next to that SWIFT in the office, cheeky huh?”
“Oh that – it’s just that we are good friends and there is nothing more than that. Hope I am not sounding like a celebrity?”
“Well, you are one – at least for today and always for us”.
“So one last question, any tips for your fans on how they can achieve this important milestone in their own journeys?”
“Well let me see, regular visits to the service station for a health check every 5000 kms, intake of fuel at the right times and not at the reach of dehydration, coupled with daily workouts(even if it is for one km) and a bath every morning would be the perfect mantra to follow to reach where I am today.”
“Ahem - Chintu aren’t you forgetting something here?”
“And oh I almost forgot to mention - all the points that I mentioned are the steps to reach the goal. But what’s important is taking those steps which in my case would have been impossible without a Master like you…so it is also important to be gifted with good luck to have a Master like you”
“Oh, thank you Chintu for all the kind words. It has been a pleasure talking to you. You see we have just reached “Chokhi Dani” and so may need to park you here”
“Thank you Master for having gifted me this life and the pleasure has been mine”
************************************************
The date turned out to be 5th Oct 2008, when it was destined to “happen”. As I slipped into Chintu (hope am not sounding ‘horny’ here) I watched the kilometre reading display a proud 99998 and wondered how would that moment be when the last turn of the wheel would signal Chintu’s entry into the elite club of 1 lakh. Would the world stop and give a standing ovation to the man and his car for having achieved this? Would every car after that turn towards Chintu and bow in respect to acknowledge his great triumph?
I and Sangz had agreed before-hand that we would stop at that point in time and cut a cake in Chintu’s honour and needless to say, eat for him as well. We had gone shopping to Monginis the previous day to buy a strawberry cake which we felt and hoped that Chintu would approve of, needless to say to our eyes and tongue too. And we were all set to greet the day, the moment.What follows here is a first hand conversation between Chintu and his “Master” –
************************************************
“So Chintu…it’s your big day today, eh? So how are you feeling?”
“Oh Master – haven’t slept all night, have been dreaming of this day, this moment in my life and cant believe I am alive to see this happen…and you know what Master, think I am doubly blessed…”
“And, why do you say that?”
“Oh – more than the 1 lakh thingy…I have always been hoping and prayin
g that I should be in your arms when that happens” “Yeah – thank god that Sangz here doesn’t know driving… (Master thinks) and that she doesn’t have such a wild imagination to be hearing our chat”
“So Chintu…what has it been like…your journey until now…anything exciting from the usual? And oh – by all means don’t be humble in your praises for me and your criticism for the other drivers, my bro included!!!”
“Oh Master – don’t think words would be enough to praise you – but then would make an attempt when it comes to that point…”
Chintu starts off…“You know I come from a small town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, my registration numbers says it all…don’t quite remember my first master as very soon after he purchased me I switched hands to the Randys’ (that’s short for the Ramachandrans’ – sounds cool, eh?)…do you remember Master it was you who actually came to Salem to pick me up along with two others and how you sat in the back seat thinking as to how you would be driving such a big car? (I used to be driving only an 800 until then)”
“Oh yeah yeah…sheesh, didn’t know that you had a spark of life in you then?”
“Oh – I always had a heart but it’s just that only you cared to hear it…and that’s why I have always called you ‘Master’”
“And hey Chintu…remember our first long distance drive to Guruvayoor from Mettur and that was the ultimate driving test for me complete with the night and the rains…and daddy was all so impressed when we reached Mettur that he gave me the certificate of “excellent driving”... and my bro is still craving for that?)…thanks to you Chintu”
“Oh Master – I always knew that there was a Schumacher in you…heh heh”
“Chintooo…Schumacher is now history…I would rather prefer a Raikonnen here”
“Oh sure – su
re, that’s what I meant”“Oh how I remember your daddy driving me over Mettur and Salem with your mommy sitting in the front seat, think you had gone away to Chennai to work and that used to drive me nuts, used to miss you so much”
“Hey Chintu…lets not talk about my daddy here, you know there are more chances of him reading this than my bro”
“Oops sure”
“Yeah – hey just 1km to go now…it might happen within the next minute or so”
“Cant believe it…anyways can’t forget the days in Bangalore when I used to be tormented under you bro’s careless and reckless driving, you know almost half of me has been replaced because of his “$%^& driving…I mean you can understand having an accident once or twice, but he was the limit”
“Yep – as they say an error committed more than once turns into a blunder”
“Yeah – sometimes with a bus, sometimes with a cyclist and once even when your daddy was around, he had my side mirror ripped off during an overtake and man that almost gave me the scare of my life, and you know what Master all those times I used to think where is my Master, where is my Master…but how did I know then that I would have to wait for a good two years for it to happen”
“And then the fateful day came – April 1st 2006 when you drove me from Bangalore to Chennai to make me a part of your life, I think I was around 60000 kms old then”
“Yeah – and that was the start of your good days”
“Master Master…I can feel it happening…I am changing…its like a new beginning of my life…its like having come to the end of the circle of life, or must I say beginning, a rebirth even…there it is for you to see…I am now 1000000 kms old”
Master stops Chintu by the side
************************************************
At this point both I and Sangz open up the cake decorated with the icing which read “Chintu 100000”, (the 10 had gone missing due to the road condition) and then time stood still as we cut the cake singing for Chintu. I didn’t know how to react and in that one fit of
excitement I caught hold of the steering wheel and gave him a big hug.**********************
“So Chintu…that’s it, congratulations for having achieved the mark…its like a new start for you, how does it feel like?”
“Oh, thank you thank you (wiping the tears from his eyes)…I feel so new and energetic that I can live another 1 lakh kms, but then I know that may not happen”
“Hmm…its like we wishing for a second innings after having turned 100. (Master licks his hands smeared with cream) Umm…the cake is so yummy, wish you could join us in the feast buddy (all the time thinking otherwise)”
“So Chintu, any birthday wishes that you want me to fulfil - anything that you want as a gift?”
“Oh master – there is nothing that I wish or desire, you have given me everything that a car could wish for. You know all the other cars so damn wish that they belonged to you but I always quite them saying that I would never let that happen. You know that old Maruti 800 which is parked next to me in Golden Galaxy, man can you imagine that it is a 2001 make, a year younger to me and check out what it has become?”
“Thank you Chintu for all the nice words…don’t think I have the money to buy any more cars, not to talk of their maintenance –but is there something that you want?”
“Well Master, it’s not something big but then I really wish that you stop being such a nice guy and not overtake all those cars you fancy like CRV, Camerie, Volkswagen, etc”
(Master thinks “Man, what attitude? He is actually thinking that he is capable of overtaking all of them
, they are way beyond our league”)“Yeah Chintu, agree that I do have the hots for them, it just that I like seeing their backs rather than their fronts (oops hope that wasn’t cheesy again?)”
(Chintu sulks,” Guess that’s what the others must be thinking when I overtake them”)
“So Chintu, have you made any resolutions for the new life?”
“Oh yes, there is this one thing that I want to start doing. You know every time I overtake some car I have this bad habit of jeering and passing some comments, think that is an area that I would like to improve upon.”
“You mean to say improve or reduce it?”
“Well didn’t want to use the word increase.”
“Ahem, oh ok. So have you had any girlfriends? Any one for whom you have had the hots?”
“Not anyone really but then you know the SWIFT is kinda a rage amongst us. After all who else amongst the cars can boast of such a rounded back?”
“Ah, now I know why you always insist that I have you parked next to that SWIFT in the office, cheeky huh?”
“Oh that – it’s just that we are good friends and there is nothing more than that. Hope I am not sounding like a celebrity?”
“Well, you are one – at least for today and always for us”.
“So one last question, any tips for your fans on how they can achieve this important milestone in their own journeys?”
“Well let me see, regular visits to the service station for a health check every 5000 kms, intake of fuel at the right times and not at the reach of dehydration, coupled with daily workouts(even if it is for one km) and a bath every morning would be the perfect mantra to follow to reach where I am today.”
“Ahem - Chintu aren’t you forgetting something here?”
“And oh I almost forgot to mention - all the points that I mentioned are the steps to reach the goal. But what’s important is taking those steps which in my case would have been impossible without a Master like you…so it is also important to be gifted with good luck to have a Master like you”
“Oh, thank you Chintu for all the kind words. It has been a pleasure talking to you. You see we have just reached “Chokhi Dani” and so may need to park you here”
“Thank you Master for having gifted me this life and the pleasure has been mine”
************************************************
The LAST(ing) KM
