DRIVOBLOG® |Maiden Drive with HVK (too tempestuous to be Telecasted LIVE!)

btirthankar · 18th January 2010, 02:10

While Thousands of Miles clocked on my odometer, Travelling with HVK – The Baadshah of Indian Highways, would keep on deferring for years. Though he would always be with me on the airwaves and be able to ‘see’ where I am, during my own trips, I was longing to do a trip with him. But as they say there is a time for everything.

Now HV Kumar may have more than 20 years of experience of driving on Indian Highways, and 1 Million+ Kms of driving experience, but what makes things enthralling is that he is a human GPS. Such detailed are his video-graphic memories of roads that if one dials him from almost anywhere in India, he can provide directions and route information on the phone by making them spot landmarks and references on the very road one is, irrespective of wherever he is located.

As regards the DRIVOBLOG, don’t get disappointed: Travelling with HVK is too tempestuous to be Telecasted LIVE!

Forget opening the laptop, mere holding onto oneself and the essential gadgets becomes the prime survival challenge here. But then you have the spoils - His Scorpio’s cabin is a Mini Reliance Mart. So while you munch away fruits, snacks, biscuits and sipping leh berry juices to glory, the lifeless luggage items merrily sway to the immense G-Forces from the vehicle’s sharp and calculated turns. Quite a challenge in itself - The fact that you have to make sure that all of them need to be restored where there were originally placed every now and then.

I had completed yesterday the first leg of the journey – MUMBAI-GWALIOR, a distance of 1000kms in 15 Hours on ‘not so easy’ NH3 and you thought I would be merrily clicking away?

Not a chance, boy. Many of us, including myself may have done intercity trips and claiming records, but what sets HVK apart is that he is truly a consistent performer. For someone has been more than 20,000 hours at the wheel, there are intricate preparations. And there are duties to be executed during the, I must say ‘rally’, like the Log Book writing.

I am being honest here, no added sugar. Everybody has his unique style of driving beliefs and so does he. Realize, for someone who is such a seasoned driver, norms are important so that at any part of the journey the driver’s concentration is not marred and safety not compromised.

See the video.

YouTube - HVK Driving Instructions

Recommended as a crash course for anybody interested in travelling with him, to avoid any kind of disappointment.

btirthankar · 18th January 2010, 02:15

And if you thought HVK’s is one unique stalwart, meet his uncle – The Grandbaap of Highway Travel, Mr. Ramachandra - who has been the eldest participant in the Aesean Car Rally with decades of highway driving behind him and I feel fortunate to having met him.

A bit mellowed down having attained Age 76 but still going strong, he drove to Gwalior from Bangalore in his 2009 Toyota Innova.

He is scheduled to return to Bangalore after covering Delhi and Mumbai, impressively substantiating his everlasting spirit of road travel even at this age when generally pills and pillows become ones closest companions.

OT: For a moment he reminded me of Utpal Dutta of Golmaal

(in the picture he was indeed having trouble installing Skype)

btirthankar · 18th January 2010, 02:21

The cops stopped us at a Cheque Post in MP at a place called Chirula on Gwalior-Jhansi highway (incidentally the North-West corrdior), detained us in the pretext of some senior cop's instructions and pending his arrival. Then after 1.5 + hrs of this, a police jeep arrived, and with 2 cops in HVK's car, we were escorted to Dantia, the dist HQ.

There they started challaning HVK, to detain the car. HVK flatly refused to hand over the car and said since he is an advisor to UN, he will not take this standing now. The cops finally got worried, talked to their bosses and they escorted HVK back to the CP. Then began the negotiation and they settled at a 2000 bribe for the pleasure of continuing our journey in a free shining india.

some moments of the car being seized.

btirthankar · 18th January 2010, 02:24

we have now reached Chhatarpur, near Kajuraho, at 1030 pm, it is dense fog and biting cold here, impossible to proceed further this night, we are staying here.

kesri · 18th January 2010, 04:35

Thirthankar:

Wow ... Great live drive-blogging! Congrats!!

I am sure you will be learning a lots of "best-practices" on extra-long-distance driving, from veteran HVK.

Scary! .. the MP police thuggery!! Makes me feel I should give up my idea of buying and driving a Scorpio in this country.

Of course, HVK knows, full well, how to handle such police situations. So I kinda of knew, that by the time his FB fans saw the message "My car is seized by MP Police ... HELP!" .... HVK would have already escaped ... and flying down the road to Khajuraho!

Cheers ..... and have a safe trip. Look forward to seeing more posts!

-KS

simply_sunny001 · 18th January 2010, 04:50

but why did the MP Police seized the car ?

what did you guys do wrong ?

llamrei · 18th January 2010, 07:17

Thank you Tirthankar for the blow-by-blow account. I have asked the right people to take those guys to task. Of course you are unlikely to get your money back, but at least these guys will not be so blatant in future. I am sorry about what happened.
simply_sunny, the MP Police was short of SUVs for Local Bodies election duties. At least this was the ostensible reason. What a nice way of ensuring democracy!

MileCruncher · 18th January 2010, 07:53

Man this is interesting! I'm hooked.

Btw why did the vehicle get stopped?

phamilyman · 18th January 2010, 08:01

Hmmm, that is as lovely a DRIVOBLOG as it gets. Frankly, I wasn't moved by the train logues but this is awesome!!

My salute to HVK's uncle - whatay lovely coincidence. Very strong resemblance!!

That said, more details on the MP vehicle confiscation nonsense. I have always maintained that cruising MP roads at night is not for mere mortals. Now I think I better get some MHA sticker/letter along with laal batti on my car when I hit those roads next. This is frankly screwed up.

Ravveendrra · 18th January 2010, 08:09

Awesome!

That video was a revelation. I can bet that the rest of the trip and this thread will be an education in itself. To say "I am hooked" would be an understatement.

Have a safe journey. Looking forward to meeting you and Chief in Hyd.

Cheers,

dushmish · 18th January 2010, 09:04

Glued on!

Good pics and interesting captions. And I thought Yeti was the best story teller. :-)
Drive safe.
Enjoy the journey.

Ciao,
D

SumitBahl · 18th January 2010, 09:59

WOW, that's interesting!!!

Tirthankar, I am sorry i couldn't give you the CD's you asked for when you were in Chandigarh.

Let me know if you still want them, I will send you a courier.
But, what wold be the address? Milestone 23, NH8 ?

akas_chauhan · 18th January 2010, 10:32

Tirthankar,
Nice pictures/travelogues. Can you explain a bit more the MP police issue?

rkbharat · 18th January 2010, 11:26

BT, wow another great DRIVBLOG, and WHAT with HVK, I feel jealous

, pretty soon I will be too motivated to shift my home near HVK's apartment

srikanthpotluri · 18th January 2010, 12:10

Glued on!!! Great pictures and narration, continue..I am sure you enjoyed every moment

why the hell did Cops took a stance? please brief?

18th January 2010, 02:15	#2
btirthankar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Some Moving Vehicle Posts: 816 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	..its all in the family And if you thought HVK’s is one unique stalwart, meet his uncle – The Grandbaap of Highway Travel, Mr. Ramachandra - who has been the eldest participant in the Aesean Car Rally with decades of highway driving behind him and I feel fortunate to having met him. A bit mellowed down having attained Age 76 but still going strong, he drove to Gwalior from Bangalore in his 2009 Toyota Innova. He is scheduled to return to Bangalore after covering Delhi and Mumbai, impressively substantiating his everlasting spirit of road travel even at this age when generally pills and pillows become ones closest companions. OT: For a moment he reminded me of Utpal Dutta of Golmaal (in the picture he was indeed having trouble installing Skype) Attached Thumbnails
	(2) Thanks

18th January 2010, 02:21	#3
btirthankar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Some Moving Vehicle Posts: 816 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	MP ka COP Dekho The cops stopped us at a Cheque Post in MP at a place called Chirula on Gwalior-Jhansi highway (incidentally the North-West corrdior), detained us in the pretext of some senior cop's instructions and pending his arrival. Then after 1.5 + hrs of this, a police jeep arrived, and with 2 cops in HVK's car, we were escorted to Dantia, the dist HQ. There they started challaning HVK, to detain the car. HVK flatly refused to hand over the car and said since he is an advisor to UN, he will not take this standing now. The cops finally got worried, talked to their bosses and they escorted HVK back to the CP. Then began the negotiation and they settled at a 2000 bribe for the pleasure of continuing our journey in a free shining india. some moments of the car being seized. Attached Thumbnails
	(3) Thanks

18th January 2010, 02:24	#4
btirthankar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Some Moving Vehicle Posts: 816 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	.. and the journey continues we have now reached Chhatarpur, near Kajuraho, at 1030 pm, it is dense fog and biting cold here, impossible to proceed further this night, we are staying here. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

18th January 2010, 04:35	#5
kesri BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 82 Thanked: 43 Times	Thirthankar: Wow ... Great live drive-blogging! Congrats!! I am sure you will be learning a lots of "best-practices" on extra-long-distance driving, from veteran HVK. Scary! .. the MP police thuggery!! Makes me feel I should give up my idea of buying and driving a Scorpio in this country. Of course, HVK knows, full well, how to handle such police situations. So I kinda of knew, that by the time his FB fans saw the message "My car is seized by MP Police ... HELP!" .... HVK would have already escaped ... and flying down the road to Khajuraho! Cheers ..... and have a safe trip. Look forward to seeing more posts! -KS Last edited by kesri : 18th January 2010 at 04:38.
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 04:50	#6
simply_sunny001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London & Rohtak Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	but why did the MP Police seized the car ? what did you guys do wrong ?
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 07:17	#7
llamrei BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Faridabad, NCR Posts: 35 Thanked: 20 Times	Thank you Tirthankar for the blow-by-blow account. I have asked the right people to take those guys to task. Of course you are unlikely to get your money back, but at least these guys will not be so blatant in future. I am sorry about what happened. simply_sunny, the MP Police was short of SUVs for Local Bodies election duties. At least this was the ostensible reason. What a nice way of ensuring democracy!
	(1) Thanks

18th January 2010, 07:53	#8
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	Man this is interesting! I'm hooked. Btw why did the vehicle get stopped?
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 08:01	#9
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Hmmm, that is as lovely a DRIVOBLOG as it gets. Frankly, I wasn't moved by the train logues but this is awesome!! My salute to HVK's uncle - whatay lovely coincidence. Very strong resemblance!! That said, more details on the MP vehicle confiscation nonsense. I have always maintained that cruising MP roads at night is not for mere mortals. Now I think I better get some MHA sticker/letter along with laal batti on my car when I hit those roads next. This is frankly screwed up.
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 08:09	#10
Ravveendrra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 446 Times View My Garage	Just one word Awesome! That video was a revelation. I can bet that the rest of the trip and this thread will be an education in itself. To say "I am hooked" would be an understatement. Have a safe journey. Looking forward to meeting you and Chief in Hyd. Cheers,
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 09:04	#11
dushmish BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 418 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Glued on! Good pics and interesting captions. And I thought Yeti was the best story teller. :-) Drive safe. Enjoy the journey. Ciao, D
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 09:59	#12
SumitBahl BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 976 Thanked: 230 Times View My Garage	WOW, that's interesting!!! Tirthankar, I am sorry i couldn't give you the CD's you asked for when you were in Chandigarh. Let me know if you still want them, I will send you a courier. But, what wold be the address? Milestone 23, NH8 ?
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 10:32	#13
akas_chauhan BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio Posts: 596 Thanked: 25 Times	Tirthankar, Nice pictures/travelogues. Can you explain a bit more the MP police issue?
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 11:26	#14
rkbharat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gurgaon/New Delhi Posts: 1,601 Thanked: 724 Times View My Garage	BT, wow another great DRIVBLOG, and WHAT with HVK, I feel jealous , pretty soon I will be too motivated to shift my home near HVK's apartment
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 12:10	#15
srikanthpotluri BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 472 Thanked: 769 Times View My Garage	Glued on!!! Great pictures and narration, continue..I am sure you enjoyed every moment why the hell did Cops took a stance? please brief?
	() Thanks