My All-Time Favorite Automobile: Trust, Grit, and the Roads That Shaped Me
Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt—“What is your all-time favorite automobile?”—is a fascinating one.
Automobiles are never just about engines, horsepower, or metal frames. They are memories, milestones, freedom on four wheels, and sometimes quiet companions during the longest and most transformative journeys of our lives.
For me, choosing an all-time favorite automobile has never been about speed, luxury, or cutting-edge technology. It has always been about character, reliability, and the quiet way a machine earns your trust over time.
When I reflect deeply on this question, two powerful images come to mind: the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, known worldwide for its dependability, and the unforgettable day of my very first Bullet ride.
The day that taught me courage, confidence, and the joy of moving beyond fear.
Today I would like to share the story of my first Bullet ride, because that moment shaped not only my relationship with automobiles but also my outlook on life itself. Please stay with me.
The Story to Remember
In the journey of our lives, certain moments stand out like vibrant threads, weaving stories that continue to resonate through the years.
One such vivid thread in my life is the day I embarked on my first Bullet ride—a journey that transcended fear and welcomed the sweet taste of victory.
This story takes me back to a beautiful phase of life—holding the joining letter of my first banking job.
The bank was the Bank of India, and my posting was at Jhumaritilaiya, a town alive with conversations, music, and the immense popularity of Binaca Geet Mala in those days.
Transitioning from student life to professional life, I was filled with enthusiasm and optimism.
Being single and the youngest member of my family, I carried no burdens. Words like worry, stress, tension, and sorrow were completely absent from my dictionary.
My only focus was on moving forward, embracing life, and seeing myself as the hero of my own journey.
On November 10, 1983, I reported for duty at the Bank of India’s Jhumaritilaiya branch. The branch manager, Sri D. Ekambram, welcomed me warmly.
The atmosphere felt perfect, almost destined. For the first seven days, as a Field Officer, I underwent training on banking procedures—especially rural lending and loan recovery.
Field Visits and the Bullet Challenge
One fine day, the branch manager called me to his chamber and informed me that I would be visiting nearby villages to interact with farmers and disburse loans according to their needs.
He also mentioned that the bank had purchased a brand-new Bullet motorcycle for field visits.
I hesitantly expressed my concern. The village roads were rough, and I suggested that a jeep might be more suitable. He chuckled and said, “We don’t have that much power.”
There was another problem—one I could no longer hide. I had never learned to ride a motorcycle, especially not a heavy Bullet. I confessed my dilemma honestly.
Smiling confidently, he reassured me, “No worries. I will teach you to ride the Bullet in one day.”
That night was sleepless. I kept imagining myself falling, breaking a limb, and being helpless in a new town. Fear occupied every corner of my mind.
Beyond Fear, Victory Beckons
The next morning, after prayers and seeking blessings from every deity I could remember, I went to his house near Jhanda Chowk around 10 a.m.
He warmly welcomed me, introduced me to his newlywed wife, and soon we headed toward a nearby village called Bekobar on the brand-new Bullet.
The terrain was uneven and challenging—yet that was where my lesson would unfold.
He asked me to sit on the Bullet and slowly release the clutch. With a few jerks and a pounding heart, the Bullet began to move.
Fear gave way to focus. Balance replaced panic. I realized that confidence mattered more than physical strength.
By afternoon, I had done it. Yes, mission successful.
That lunch tasted extraordinary. Even today, the image of that first Bullet remains etched in my memory. That day, I learned a lesson far greater than riding a motorcycle:
“Beyond fear, victory beckons.”
Why This Is My Answer to the Prompt
Whether it is the unstoppable Land Cruiser or my first Bullet ride, automobiles reflect who we are and what we overcome.
They teach us patience, courage, and trust. They remind us that reliability—both mechanical and personal—can carry us through the roughest roads.
That is why, for me, automobiles will never be just machines.
They are stories on wheels.
BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE
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Categories: infotainment
Retiredकलम 
very nice
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Thank you so much.
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My sister finds sentimental value in her vehicle for the help it gives her. Learning a driving skill is rewarding. Wonderful reflection, Verma. It sounds like it was a fulfilling job.
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Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. I truly appreciate the way you connected with the sentiment behind the story. You’re absolutely right—learning a driving skill is deeply rewarding, not just for the independence it brings, but for the confidence it builds along the way.
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Yes! My pleasure, Verma
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Thank you so much.
Stay connected and keep sharing.
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What a profoundly moving and beautifully narrated reflection, Verma ji. Your story is not just about learning to ride a Bullet; it’s a masterclass in life itself. You have captured the soul of what makes an automobile truly memorable—not its specifications, but the human spirit it carries and the fears it helps conquer.
The way you painted the scene—the nervous excitement of a first job, the supportive mentor in Sri D. Ekambram, the sleepless night of fear, and that triumphant moment of balance on a rough village road—is nothing short of cinematic. It reminds us that our greatest victories often begin just beyond the border of our comfort zones.
Your closing thought, “Automobiles are stories on wheels,” is a perfect summation. Thank you for sharing such a personal and powerful milestone. This story is a testament to your courage and a beautiful reminder to all of us that trust, once earned—whether in a machine or in oneself—becomes the engine of our greatest journeys.
With warm regards and deep appreciation for sharing this memory.
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Thank you so much for these deeply generous and thoughtful words. I’m truly moved by the care with which you read the story and the sensitivity of your response. You captured the essence of what I hoped to convey—that the experience was never really about the Bullet, but about trust, mentorship, fear, and self-belief.
Your description of the moment as “cinematic” and your reflection on comfort zones resonated strongly with me. Sri D. Ekambram’s quiet confidence played a decisive role in that journey, and I’m glad that came through. I’m grateful that the line “Automobiles are stories on wheels” spoke to you—it comes straight from lived experience.
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Verma, this brought back such a familiar feeling. That first time doing something you’re terrified of and then realizing midway that you’re actually doing it. The Bullet wasn’t just a bike there, it was the moment fear stopped running the show.
I liked how you tied automobiles to trust and grit instead of specs or status. That manager teaching you in one day and backing you so calmly says a lot too. Some lessons stick for life, and this one clearly did. Beyond fear, victory really does wait there.
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