Aspiring ‘The Mint’

The Mint is Announced

It was in the Auto Expo of 1996 when TATA Motors announced their foray into the Passenger Car segment. A model of their new venture, a tough, 1500 cc, compact hatch back christened ‘ Mint ‘ was on display. The car looked attractive to say the least and in those times it appeared to have a futuristic design. No wonder, the ‘ Mint ‘ caught everyone’s attention and a car enthusiast like me wasn’t spared either. The ‘ Mint ‘ had made a lasting impression on my mind and it became one of my fiercest aspirations.

My Feelings For Indica

I was still completing my education and would keep researching for every possible detail  on the Mint . My education unfolded and reached its conclusion so to say,  in a couple of years time. On the other hand the Mint had been rechristened The Indica. I had confided about my feelings for The Indica with my father, though I never pushed him to own it. I wanted to bring The Indica home with my own efforts and thankfully I was blessed with a job a year before the commercial launch of the car.

Bookings Get Underway

My excitement knew no end, when the date of the bookings was announced by Tata Motors. Finally I was getting closer to owning the Mint alias Indica. The booking however was an event to remember and it virtually tested my aspirations. 

A Hostile Weather

A very cold February morning it was in 1999. The temperature had nose dived and the sun had disappeared for good. The cold was at its pinnacle and it needed a massive push or a soaring ambition to come out of bed. I was determined to be the first to book the vehicle in my city and despite the hostile weather I was up in a flash, dressed quickly as possible and in no time I had entered my Father’s Fiat. However, the car refused to start.

The Cold Had Knocked the Blues

I kept on turning the key, but the engine refused to fire, probably succumbing to the terrible cold. I left the car, walked out and jumped onto a three wheeler auto. It was 7ish in the morning and the booking was to commence at 8 am at the TATA Motors showroom, a good 8 kms from my house. The auto driver was packed from head to toe with winter clothing and as he pressed the pedal it  appeared as if there was no tomorrow coming for him. He drove with gay abandon with gusts of freezing wind virtually knocking the blues off the hapless passengers like me. It was a huge torment. But I hung on.

A Cherished Memory Made

By the time I reached the destination my fingers had gone numb, my teeth were jarring and literally I was unable to open my mouth. I somehow walked to the showroom which was yet to open and stood there trembling but certainly elated as I was the only one in the queue. And indeed once the shutters opened, without elbowing a few, I was the first to book the Indica on that cold February morning. I had made a memory which I have cherished always.

My Aspirations Turn Into Reality

I received the car 9 months later after a patient wait . A loan from my institution where I worked, a generous contribution from my father, a bit of my savings and loads of determination and patience, all contributed to  fulfilling my aspiration. It was very satisfying.  

Aspirations fuel purpose in life., they  power determination and conviction and eventually  propel an individual towards attaining it. Let’s keep striving and persevering towards our aspirations, in a way, akin to that frosty February morning and turn  these aspirations into reality.

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