The above pictures were taken today after the weekly Tech. Market visit. It is not far that this companion of us will become part of our memories. This is our Maruti 800 Uniq, Limited Edition which was bought in Nov. 2008. Companionship is of 14 long years where it never put us in any awkward situation. Even today, it is as young as it was when it first joined us, going as strong as it always used to. It can serve next 5 - 6 years easily (after re-registration), if not more, with regular annual maintenance. Thus, there is no reason as such to bid it goodbye, except one in which the new one joining us in place of it, whenever it happens, gives us company for a reasonable length of time, till my retirement from this institute.
Rajdoot RD175 was the first motorized 2-wheeler I purchased after getting my first job when I was 22 years old. This was on joining Tata Steel in 1990 after finishing B. Tech. from here. Age was then in my side and drove it quite a lot (unlike this Maruti car which averaged less than 1000 KM per year, of course there were two other 2-wheelers which were usually used for solo travel) in Jamshedpur and then it came with me at Kharagpur when I joined Tata Bearings, a division of Tata Steel. Baba (Father) was not keeping well at that time and then he left us in 1992. I returned to Academics in 1994. From GT Hostel of Kadma, Jamshedpur to small Railway Quarter of Kharagpur (travel to Tata Bearings) and then to two residences at Bhabanipur, Kharagpur (travel to Tata Bearings and then to IIT Kharagpur) - the Rajdoot was in full use. For the brief two years spent in Bandel before joining here as a faculty member in 2002, the Rajdoot went to Bandel and then returned to Kharagpur and became a part of our campus life. The following picture is taken when my daughter was returning from play school in the campus on this bike.
In 2006, we felt the need of a new bike that would provide better technology and service. A Honda Shine was bought and the Rajdoot was taken by someone. I felt very sad later when a senior dada (brother) at KVYM told if the bike itself could have been upgraded by some means for use as my father rode it at certain point of time. My father visited Midnapore town, too as a pillion rider. I am sure that the Dada will feel that this 4-wheeler which is running fine should not leave us to make room for a new one. My mother who is no more, used it so many times. Therefore, it is a difficult choice to make. But, we now have entered the window in which the decision is to be taken, may be within a month.
One 4-wheeler and two 2-wheelers (currently three 2-wheelers, one is to leave soon) are more than our necessity. Either we retain the old 4-wheeler or let it go to someone where it is of that person's use rather than making it rot for non-use - that overwhelmingly is the decision emerging.
Therefore, it is expected to remain with us for one more month or so. The grief of leaving the old one outweighs what is associated with the welcoming of a new one. But, that perhaps is life. The old is to make room for the new ... applies equally well to each of us as an individual!
