OLD IS GOLD

I joined VSS Medical College, Burla on the 23rd December 1985. My wife was transferred to a nearby dispensary at Gosala around 10 km from Burla with quarters facility. We stayed there and I had to do to and fro Burla daily by Bus. It was difficult to attend emergency calls with that mode of conveyance. A two wheeler became a necessity. But money was the only hindrance. My wife had the pleasure of withdrawing the required amount from her GPF account and present me a Bajaj Super light yellow color scooter as the most memorable gift.

By 1992 we shifted to Burla. The surroundings in Burla were different. Many had four wheelers. It was branded as a symbol of aristocracy. By that time I was popular among the public. Private practice was gradually picking up. Attending nursing home with a two wheeler or a four wheeler was making a huge difference to your personality and face value. There was heavy pressure from every side to go for a four wheeler. At that point of time money was not a problem. The problem was choice of vehicle between the time tested FIAT Premier Padmini and newcomer MARUTI 800. Finally the decision was in favor of FIAT.

We decided to get a FIAT Premier Padmini model from the Bhubaneswar dealer. The cost at that time was 1.69 lakhs. I made an outright purchase . Everyone in my family including the family of my father in law were too happy. It was the first four wheeler in my family. The vehicle was delivered to my father in law, the most memorable moment for him and all of us. He was so excited that he arranged a driver and brought the vehicle to Burla covering 320 km. nonstop. Everyone in my family were anxiously waiting for the arrival of the new member. At last the anxious moment came to an end when the vehicle halted with a long horn in front of my gate and my father in law got down from the car like a victorious  hero, defying his age, with a wide hearty smile on his face which spoke volumes of his satisfaction and happiness. At the same time, his worthy daughter was transformed to the owner of a four wheeler, really a rare achievement in her life.

Everyone in the family was prepared to receive the new member. My mother, father, wife and daughter (about 9 years old) did all the rituals like a bride is traditionally welcomed in our Odia family. Then sweets were distributed in the colony. The news of the new car spread like a wild fire. People from all spectra qued to take a glimpse of the new car andshower their wishes.

The vehicle came, the driver went back to Bhubaneswar. Then all the official procedures were completed within stipulated time. Dr. Narayan Acharya, Associate Professor of Anaesthesiology, a neighbor of mine, trained me to drive the car. A driver also was appointed to have a stress free ride, but soon I fell a victim to  his insincerity, misbehavior and treachery.

The dream of stress free journey in my chauffeur driven car turned into a bad dream. The chauffeur became a liability and I was forced to remove him . I knew my limitations. As far as practicable I tried to maintain my car with the help of a  skilled and loyal mechanic, Gurumurty and Shanti garage of Sambalpur. In the mean time Maruti vehicle had captured the market and the FIAT Premier Padmini company stopped production of new cars . The resell value of FIAT cars crashed to the nadir.

Towards the end of 20th century only three FIAT cars were seen in Burla , one was of a retired professor of Medicine (2222), second of a Superintendent Engineer (9060) and third was mine (9889). Everyone was advising and suggesting either to sell it or donate it. Some were even threatening me to carry the car like Hanumanjee carried the Gandhdmardan, when spare parts and tyres will not be available. But I had fallen in love with my car. It was a long standing intimate love. What service it had not given? The car had managed three marriages, two of my brothers' in law , one of my sister's apart from thousand and one emergency works and pleasure trips. In its service period it had  neither broken down nor the tyre deflated in the middle of the road. Accident? Never happened - minor or major. It was a very lucky car for me. I never dreamt of disposing it. It was simply indispensable for me.

But as time passed, wear and tear increased and maintenance cost proportionately increased. Availability of  spare parts was a chronic problem. So I went for a Maruti WAGNER and kept my FIAT car as a symbol of aristocracy and respect. But second garage was a problem. Moreover a Govt. circular came that one owner can't keep two four wheelers. So I transferred the ownership of my FIAT car to my father in law, who was instrumental in bringing the vehicle from Bhubaneswar to Burla and who was proud of the vehicle as that was the first car in his family.

Anyway, because of the garage problem, fuel cost and maintenance cost , it was decided that the old horse haf to be disposed of. It was one of the most difficult decisions to be taken in my life as I was too much emotionally attached to my vehicle. Others laughed at me for this childish behavior.

One day I gave an advertisement in all local newspapers, "A self driven FIAT car, which had problem-free run on any type  of Indian roads for last five years covering 45,000 kms will be disposed. Safety is 100% guaranteed. Price is non-negotiable. Test drive of 40 km is permitted. Interested customers can contact the owner on phone no. 9861017510 ."

Following my advertisement I got a good number of responses. One day two of my old friends from Sambalpur University came to me to see my vehicle. I said, "It's my pleasure." After a cup of tea we three started for a test drive. It was about 10 am Sunday morning, in the month of May. It was too hot. Even at 10 am the atmospheric temperature was 45 degree. My friend opted to drive. They opted to go to the Hirakud dam on the rough hilly road with ups and downs. The vehicle ran on its familiar road making orchestra of sounds which was the hallmark of my car. The glasses were open to allow cross ventilation.  Fortunately I had kept three bottles of drinking water. Two bottles were almost consumed to quench our thirst. The turkish towels used as seat covers helped us to wipe our dribbling sweat. After running about 30 kms suddenly my car stopped with a violent jerk. My friends were frightened. But I know the character of my car. I assured them nothing to be worried. It's usual with my car. After 30 to 40 kms, my car needs rest and a bottle of water to quench its thirst. I just lifted the bonnet to allow the hot vaporized steam from the radiator to come out. I poured the bottle of water into the radiator. Now the engine got its tranquilizer and started to run like a loyal tamed white horse. After the test drive we reached home safe at around 12 noon.

We all sat in my air conditioned drawing room and enjoyed  glasses of chilled lemon drinks. Then we came to our business. "What is your first hand experience after test drive?"

I asked "Exciting", replied my friend sarcastically. I was expecting that type of answer. "What's your proposed resell value of your sweet heart?"  asked my friend. I frankly told the resell value is non negotiable. It's the base price 1. 69 lakhs and 5 thousand extra for 5 years of experience of giving flawless service. Both of my friends had a cloud burst laugh as if it's something of a new discovery or Aladdin's magic lamp .

I also enjoyed the moment with them and asked a simple question, “Tell me friends, what are the characters of a good vehicle ?" Then my friends enumerated as usual all the modern facilities which are available with an ultra modern car starting from leg space, road grip to driving comfort. I interrupted in their long list of facilities and told them the most important character a vehicle they are missing is, safety and accident proof which is only and only found with my car .

Listening to my bold, breath taking and confident statement both of them were astonished and gently asked me to elaborate. I told them that my car may be old but its spirit is young. When it runs, no driver can force it to go beyond 40 km per hour. The car is without air conditioner and music system. Moreover when it runs, it produces orchestra of its own musics. After every 40 km the vehicle needs a break for cooling. The last but not the least is that, ladies don't prefer to ask for a lift. With these conditions the driver can never dose nor be distracted. So it's not only the safest car available in the locality but also 100% accident proof. What more one expects from a vehicle. I am proud to be the owner of such a vehicle. Therefore I have fixed the resell value, to pay respect to its experience and flawless service.

Both of my friends listened to my ten minutes long emotional and philosophical speech, then looked to the wall clock. It was 1.35pm, lunch time. Both were tired and exhausted, asked for a glass of water and bid farewell saying,  “Very nice philosophy. We aren't the worthy customers. Keep it with you. Thank you very much for your valuable time."

I got rid of the stress of disposing my car. My father in law was then the legal owner of the car. One fine morning I drove the car to Cuttack and handed over the car with its keys to him.

Prof Gangadhar Sahoo is a well-known Gynaecologist. He is a columnist and an astute Academician. He was the Professor and HOD of O&G Department of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, Burla.He is at present occupying the prestigious post of DEAN, IMS & SUM HOSPITAL, BHUBANESWAR and the National Vice President of ISOPARB (INDIAN SOCIETY OF PERINATOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY). He has been awarded the BEST TEACHER AWARD of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE,BURLA in 2013. He has contributed CHAPTERS in 13 books and more than 100 Scientific Articles in State, National and International Journals of high repute. He is a National Faculty in National Level and delivered more than 200 Lectures in Scientific Conventions.He was adjudged the BEST NATIONAL SPEAKER in ISOPARB NATIONAL CONVENTION in 2016.