Tribute to a car

2011 is going to be a carless year for me, my car Zen having been sold in the beginning of the year itself. I haven’t got accustomed to the feeling of car’less’ness like the many people who have recently sold their cars, despite the fact that the car had been spending major part of working hours of last 3-4 months in workshop than in my garage. The aggressive driving of autorickshaws, the inevitable rush in transport buses and the recent hike in auto charges constantly remind me of my care free car days when I used to feel profoundly lucky and proud sitting behind the wheel. The relief and happiness that comes with avoiding an auto journey is an added bonus. Well, now I am doomed, my day begins with wait for an auto or a bus; whichever come first takes me to my work place.

My car was Zen Diesel from Maruti Suzuki, 2002 full option model, snow white in color and as sturdy and handsome as Vin Diesel. He was my husband’s first car, and he became mine in 2008 February14th. He was supposed to be my Valentine’s Day gift but as a matter of fact a bribe when I was sent to stay alone with my in laws. I always had confusion in deciding the gender of cars, but my husband had no doubts regarding that. According to him all bulky, boisterous diesel cars are male and the sleek, serene petrol cars are feminine. There may be differences in opinion which I don’t want to discuss in detail here.

In the lush green of Munnar..... In Sept 2009



The car was my constant companion for 3 years, I hardly had any fellow passengers over those months. He shared my little joys and was compassionate when I told him my worries which I managed to tell during my long journeys. We traveled as much as 80 km every day. I am not quite an awesome driver still we had comfortable drives together. I got fined many times for not putting seatbelt and not having pollution certificates, which I regularly renew only after getting fined, but never for rash driving.

Do I need a mirror?, tell me...

Whenever I think of Zen the first thing I have to tell you is its fuel efficieny, he is the most fuel efficient and economical car manufactured by Maruti and was car of the year long back. No wonder he was our companion in all our long journeys. When I came back to Ernakulam, he took us every weekend to my husbands place through the picturesque highways of Aleppey with Gulmohar trees on both sides and paddyfields of Kuttanad. He was with us in all our trips including those to Munnar, Thekkady, Kodaikanal etc. Now just a handful of memories remain.

Way side views, Ernakulam...

Through the heart of Kuttanad...

Resting in the pine forests of Kodai....

We were together in all our ups and downs, the many breakdowns, flat tyres, battery downs and the one fatal accident in 2009. It was my carelessness not his that caused him to drive straight into the rear of a huge transport bus. My husband lost trust in my driving but not his and a driver was duly appointed there after. I had a small laceration in my left palm that healed in no time leaving behind a linear scar to remind myself constantly of my carelessness whenever I drive, which according to John was what I badly needed. For Zen, the repairs came around Rs 30,000 half of which was funded unwillingly by insurance people. Still for him the scars were deep, he aged fast.

I shouldnt be posting this, my secret shame.


Technically his aging was contributed by the fact that his engine was heavy for the chase. Like all the old Marutis he developed rattling, rumblings and shakes. Those were minor problems, but the accelerated wear of tyres due to mismatched alignment was irritating. We had to buy new set of tyres every 2 months as the alignment problem could not be rectified by most of the mechanics in Ernakulam. We left all the major expansive brands and started using second hand Japan tyres. Last 3-4 months he was constantly in and out of workshops and that forced us to sell him when we were offered a nice price.

We mourned for a week, what to do life has to go on. The option of a new car is distant for now due to insufficient funds and I have to wait till I finish my studies. Now that he is gone I can only sing “ I’ve grown accustomed to his face……”
Zen, we miss you so much.