Ever since I was created in 2001, my popularity has gone leaps and bounds; even to the extent of earning titles such as “SUV of the year” and “Road King”. I am hot and all time favourite of all sections of society; ranging from catholic nuns and church pastors to Kilonsers of our National Government; from officials of Nagaland Government and political parties to Commandants of Paramilitary forces. In fact my reach is so strong that my presence will be conspicuous in weddings, political conclaves, inspecting parties of Central Government, entourage of VIP’S and the list goes on. My popularity knows no bound, you’ll find that in every nook and corner of Nagaland, many workshops specialising in taking care of me have sprung up. Some workshops are even named “Bolero Workshop”.
I am also the hot favourite of Centrally Sponsored scheme implementing agencies. I must be bought for implementation of each and every such scheme. Having to implement it without me is beyond imagination. It is not uncommon that Project Officers and Engineers develop deep affection for me that they refuse to part with me when they get retired or are transferred. This is apart from me being passed on as ‘gifts’ to Senior Bureaucrats on their retirement.
The sound of my turbocharged engine is tuned in such a way that without being noisy and loud, it makes my presence so commanding and never fails to attract attention. I still cherish the fact that not so long ago, Uncle Th.Muivah, the Ato Kilonser of NSCN (IM) picked me for his sojourn from Hebron camp to Viswema. I take pride considering that threat perception and the scale of security arrangements at that time must have been equivalent to Z+ category. In other words, it speaks of my reliability.
I am created in such a way that I must overtake whatever vehicle that appears in my sight. Whether I am in poor health or in best of health, being seen as a trailer is something unacceptable for my tribe. I would rather die than being treated as a loser by my tribe. In fact, one of my favourite tricks is to emerge out of nowhere and overtake the vehicle in front by surprise. I don’t have that much patience waiting for pass-signal light or that right time for overtaking. I can overtake in any situation irrespective of the potholes or blind curves. Sometimes however, luck does not favour me and I end up in the middle of the road struck and fallen. However, what surprises me is that nobody wants to mess with me. Passersby quietly manoeuvre their way out without any complaints. Imagine the expletives that would have been hurled at for obstructing the way if it were to be any other vehicle. As a mark of caution, I must warn you that you should take extra caution of my tribe with NL-10 registration number.
It saddens me to learn that despite my popularity and acceptance with every section of society, I am usually made to associate with things which are considered notorious. Even Police officials at check gates are usually suspicious of me. They always check me so thoroughly to the extent of making me doubt if my modesty is being outraged. Another baseless accusation against me which really hurts me is people pointing fingers at my ball joints for the occasional breakdown in the middle of the road. Before you accuse me, let me ask you my esteemed users, why is it that breakdown in most cases occur in the middle of the road and not on one’s own lane? Isn’t this an indication of overtaking at any cost as is usually the case? Were you also not guilty of speeding through crater like potholes unmindful of the fact that I am also a mere vehicular being? If I were to be created with major defect, my sale would have plummeted by now. My humble request to all the users of my tribe is that I be treated with care like any other vehicle and I shall in return provide you with comfort, power, speed, status and service.
Lerie Colony, Kohima.
