"My vehicle is strangely like me"

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

Professor Dr Abhi Subedi, who considers himself ‘a student of literature and language’ is a poet, essayist, playwright and social commentator. Subedi, who has over four decades of experience as a teacher, spoke to THT Auto Plus about his noteworthy driving anecdotes.



MY FIRST DRIVE

I first drove a Maruti 800.



MY CRUISING PARNTERS

I currently drive Alto of the same brand, and this car is quite affordable. It does not have power steering, but that is okay.



HOW I MASTERED DRIVING

I first learnt driving from a French lady in the early 80s. The lady, Reine Lancry, worked at the French Embassy and I taught her English in return. Later, I picked up the nuances from a younger brother.



ABOUT MY MACHINE

This vehicle is strangely like me — functional and not too ambitious. Sometimes I feel as if it is my pet dog.



MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH THE MACHINE

Once, while I was driving my Maruti 800, a young motorcyclist hit the side of my car right across, leaving a dent. He sustained a minor scratch on his knee. An elderly traffic police intervened, and as per his suggestion I gave the young man Rs 500 for medication. The motorcyclist then went on to ask me to write the preface on his collection of poems and ghazals! I had one more remarkable incident with this vehicle. At Tinkune, one of its wheel got in a manhole. Two drivers came to my rescue, one of whom sat behind the wheel and then made my car almost fly. He then abandoned the car and ran away, we later found out that he was drunk. Do not ask me how much I had to pay to repair it.



EXPERIENCE SPEAKS

Keep your mind cool when you drive. Stop driving if your sense perception becomes weak. And do not drive if you have been drinking or are angry.



ADVICE FOR FELLOW DRIVERS

Considering the heavy traffic and the small number of traffic police, they are doing very well, even though there have been complaints. However, we are also equally responsible. Cooperation with the traffic and sensitivity to others’ presence on the road will improve the traffic problem.



FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Traffic managers should help and guide us. But they should also be strict about reckless driving and catch the bullies wheezing past breaking all rules.



MY DREAM CAR

Well, I do not have a dream car! But I would love to drive a Volkswagen, or a Maruti with power steering.