VAAHANA VEERA
Ravindra Bharathi, that day, was jam-packed, brimming with
people. After the then Director turned
the national theatre into a Government function hall, it was very rare that the
hall was bursting at seams like that. And, why not! That was the prize
distribution function. All over the area were parked vehicles of all
makes–cars, scooters, motor cycles and cycles and numerous lorries outside the
compound. Blazing on their backs were slogans like, “Telugu Talli”,
“King of the Road”, “Buri nazarwala, teri mooh kala”
and “Maar muntha, chod chintha”.
The Secretary of the
Committee was eloquently carrying on.–
“…. and that is why, this is a very good day for all of us.
We should be highly indebted to our Managing Director who conceived such a
brilliant idea as this, which is of interest to all vehicle drivers.
“During the last ten years, the vehicular traffic on our
roads has increased more than ten-fold. The number of vehicles has gone up so
much that at some places it is highly difficult even to walk on the roads. As I
was saying, our institution has decided to identify and felicitate suitably the
expert driver and the vehicle- that may be any vehicle- with tact and speed and
comes first unscathed through this chaotic traffic from Charminar to the
Ravindra Bharathi and award him with the title of VAAHANA VEERA and a cash
prize of Rs. 25,000.
“We have ourselves made arrangements to monitor the traffic
between both these points from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. I would now humbly
request the Hon Chief Guest to do us the favour of declaring the prizewinner
and awarding the prize.”
Shouts, catcalls, and whistles.
* * *
The Hon Minister adjusted his throat, catching hold of the
mike.
“Friends,
“I congratulate the institution and its management for coming
up with this novel programme which aims to ease the traffic and speed up the
movement of vehicles on our narrow and very old roads laid many decades back.
“On this occasion, I have an important information to share
with you. Before I became a Minister, no, even before I entered the politics, I
was riding on my bicycle with milk cans on either side -and in the front and
back also- through our narrow lanes and bylanes. So, I am not unaware of the
traffic problems that our city is facing. This gives me greater joy in
announcing the winner.
“ The winner-who inauoweered his vehicle from the Charminar
to the Ravindra Bharathi, over-taking even busses, and lorries, cars, trucks,
rickshaws and auto-rickshaws- and arrived fastest deserves our special
appreciation. The vehicle is the cycle- our City’s very own vehicle! And the
winner is the young, dashing and brave Chakrala Rajesh Yadav! We are all proud
of his achievement!!”
The auditorium resounded with the shouts, claps, whistles.
* * *
Yes we have entered into the 21st Century.
And, we have identified the fastest surface vehicle of the future.
(Translated by the author from his original Telugu)