BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
MARGAO
The God of Cricket made his descent without much ado to grace the inaugural edition of Apollo Tyres #BadroadBuddies in the hinterland of Quepem on Sunday. The off-roading community and the media, who were expecting Sachin Tendulkar only later for an interactive session, were taken in for a pleasant surprise as the passionate sports car lover along with his instructor careened his way down and swerved through the bends and steep ascents in the last of three 4X4 vehicles as the shutterbugs went click happy. After an initial, adrenalin-high stint in the 4x4 avowing those present, Sachin Tendulkar was back on the rugged terrain with renewed gusto and verve after speaking on the sidelines of the well-attended event. This time though characteristic of a village and word spreading out like a forest fire in a thicket, folks from the neighbouring precincts swelled in numbers have more than just an eyeful of the favourite sports son of their country as he traded his love for fast cars for the rugged 4x4 topography to lap up his newly discovered passion with élan.On his association with off-roading
Excerpts from the Apollo Tyres Ambassador’s interaction at the event:
I have had this experience abroad, in one of the SUVs where the water level was almost up to the bonnet and the instructor told me how to feel it out. Those were the learning lessons and here again (Goa) when I sat with the instructor some time ago it was unreal. I actually asked him ‘Ki yahan se kabhi hum jayenge? This is our route, this is our path. This is where we go from (came the answer). And I could actually not believe that a car could do this. This type of experiences makes you a better driver and I think you start anticipating a lot of things. Your hand-eye coordination improves. I know this is #BadRoadBuddies but #BadRoadBuddies are good drivers. So I think if you are not good, there is no chance for survival here. So of course, you are good, but we are all here to become better and that is what my experience is. I am also learning. The first experience here in Goa was incredible. My suggestion to Neeraj (Kanwar), Vice Chairman & MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd is that it should happen here every year and I would like to be here.
A new huge fan of the adventure sport
I’ve seen so many films on this (off-roading). But the first proper experience was here other than my experience abroad. So I didn’t know exactly what to expect. But just now having experienced, I’ve become a huge fan.
Let me put it correctly, do-teen mahine ek baar hona chahiye magar pehle hum haste-haste shuru karenge. Gradually, we can improve it. But the experience has been incredible, priceless.
Development at the grass-root level so that talent can go the distance Catch them young and once they are 18 (motor-sports). Generally, it is extremely important for any sportsperson to try and identify the talent in them as early as possible and groom them, shape their lives but it is not just achieving your dreams. I think on a number of occasions, I’ve mentioned that India is a sports-loving nation but not a sports-playing nation. And that is what my dream is: to transform India from a sports-loving nation to a sports-playing nation. Let us all get fitter and healthier. I know that we all like to believe that we are fit. But unfortunately the statistics, numbers do not say so. There is plenty of room for improvement and that is the message I want to give everyone. There is no exception. However fit you are, there is nothing like getting better in life. That is what applies to identifying talent at an early age and grooming them, giving them direction in life so that they can bring laurels for India. Today as far as our country is concerned it is not just confined to either doctor bano or engineer bano. Parents are open-minded now open to their children becoming chefs or professional dancers. India is slowly changing. It is all about giving them opportunity at the right time and giving them a platform to express their talent.
Message to off-roaders and others
It’s not just for off-road driving, generally in life also. You have to stay passionate about whatever you love in life. I think that is very important. I think with freedom comes responsibility, so drive responsibly. Enjoy the moment. I think this is going to be a really big spectacle. My experience here has been fantastic. I hope all of you enjoy as much as I did. At some stage, I will look forward to driving with you guys.
