KING-SIZE RIDE: Love of Dad's Life

She intrudes into our daily life. There isn't a single day my father doesn't talk about her. He pampers her to the hilt. Without her, he cannot go out. After returning home from an outstation assignment, instead of meeting us first, he goes to check if she's hale and hearty. A scratch on her body or her getting drenched in the rain is enough for my father to spend sleepless nights.She has been with us for more than two decades and is as old as my brother. We think our father's unabated and undying love for her is growing every year. But no one complains, including our mother, who is quite fond of her. Rupali's been with us through thick and thin, and has given our family royal service. My father bought this 1956 model of the Land Rover and it is his precious possession. The moment one speaks about it consuming more petrol or its parts wearing off, my father becomes defensive. An unstated rule at home is that nobody is supposed to speak ill of Rupali. So attached and protective is dad about the vehicle that at times we feel he loves her more than us.
I don't, however, blame my father for being so possessive. He's not the only one. There are many proud owners of Land Rovers in the Darjeeling hills like him who've kept their cars in prime condition. Ask any owner about the vehicle and all you'll hear is praise. During the Darjeeling Carnival, the Land Rover rally was a real crowd-puller. Land Rovers hit the Indian roads during the 1950s, when some British planters decided to stay back after independence. Then, these 'landys' were the in-thing among hill people. After the British left India, the locals became proud owners of these all-terrain utility vehicles. Over time, some vehicles started ferrying passengers and goods along the meandering roads across the hilly terrain. Besides the tea gardens and majestic Mt Kanchenjunga, Land Rovers in Darjeeling have always been an eye-catcher for any visitor. Despite swanky new cars hitting the roads each day, Land Rovers still occupy a special space on the hill roads and, of course, in the hearts of people. A proud owner once said, "No doubt, swanky cars are comfortable and luxurious. But travelling by a Land Rover gives one a different feeling - a king-size feeling. It's the big daddy of small vehicles."