Sitting behind the wheel, swaying through the busy roads with ease, listening to my favorite songs on the radio and singing along, frankly I had never thought driving a car would be so simple. The steering wheel moved with such a rhythm in my hands, turning and falling back in place in seconds, made me wonder what a complicated piece of machinery, yet so easy to maneuver. It is a masterpiece of technology but for me driving a car was something which was more than a daily exercise – it was something I identified myself with.
Driving for me was a high feeling, a sense of achievement and triumph. A challenge I had accepted and succeeded in. It might seem funny to some people how driving can make you feel so elevated and extraordinary, but I know the mechanism of driving gives me a sense of independence, control and empowerment. These feelings are difficult to express but I feel them inside me every time I drive my car.
I still recall the day when learning to drive a car was more of a necessity and obligation for me rather than a passion or an interest. I had to learn driving because my services as a driver were needed by the people close to me. My father found himself incapable of driving a car when his age increased and alongside increased his ailments. I was supposed to take over the wheel from his hands and provide him the comfort and support he needed. But for me the responsibility was even greater – The responsibility of driving a car driven by an experienced hand for ages. A car which was too used to being commanded by its owner…will the car ever accept a new commander? Will it out right reject a new driver? Well, these questions could only be raised by an amateur who had no idea about what cars are! In this case that fool was me.
The time was 5am in the morning. Empty roads are the safest bets; no one but animals roaming around and a handful of morning walkers who choose side pavements rather than the main road for their daily dose of oxygen. These were hurdles any kid could defeat. For the other exercises like reverse gears and turn arounds, the empty parks were the easiest available option. Neglected by government and society, such parks are an amateur drivers’ paradise. My teacher was none other than a friendly neighborhood driver who had no educational qualification, but who was my
God of driving. Whatever he instructed was to be followed by a Management student of my stature, without raising any questions or doubts, because his driving experience was 20 years and mine was not even 20 minutes…So here I was, surrendering myself to the skills of someone who belonged to a small town of Ballia (believe me even this town produced good drivers and I had no two thoughts about it).
Driving (early morning) was a cake walk except for gear changing and the initial pick up hassles. My lessons were going perfect and in the next 10 days I was on the seventh sky, showing off a little speed and also overtaking some man pulled rickshaws with a great sense of superiority. I was an awesome driver. But my real test was yet to come. Well it soon followed when one night my father asked me to drive him to the nearby chemist to pick up some medicines for him.
Believe me Night driving is actually a nightmare, with so many fools on the road using upper headlights blinding you straight in the eye, the roads also seem alien, the pot holes and the speed breakers love hiding themselves from you. I proved myself to be the worst driver in the world, 10 days of practice gone down the drain, escaping three accidents and raising my fathers’ Blood pressure to enormous levels. My father got home safe, all due to some of his good deeds God had acknowledged that night.
I was ready for a good shout and a long lecture, but this nightmare had its bright side. My father who had sat beside me all through the drive was an educated, intelligent driver unlike my morning teacher. He told me about the importance of adjusting my car seat, adjusting my rear view mirror and also tips about road safety. But the 3 most important lessons he gave me that night (and which I have repeated for ages to all aspiring drivers) were:
1. Never ever be nervous while driving. Not even when you bump your car. Being nervous will affect your reflexes and your focus will be ruined and you will end up making mistakes.
2. Always remember that the car is a machine in your hands. It has no mind of its own and will do whatever you want it to do. Make sure you handle it well.
3. Never take any risks while driving. You might be the best driver in the world but others may not be so and you may end up hurting people and risking Human lives. Always remember that you are also responsible for the lives of other people on the road and it’s a big responsibility.
Driving was never tough for me after that night. I continued to get into difficult situations and emerge out a good driver. All thanks to my father. Even today when I drive my car, I always miss my father, who is no more with me. I remember him as the best driving teacher in this world, whose driving lesson was all words and no actions, yet taught me driving like no one ever could.