Author : Hirak Kar
Review:
Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure. Breathe the fresh air, embrace the woods, get lost in those lovely country roads and immerse yourself in what nature has to offer. Travel is more of a journey than a destination. That summarizes Hirak Kar's travelogue and personal memoir, 'The Pillion Rider'.
Two young officers , Hirak and George, one from the army and the other from the airforce, set off on a road trip to Delhi from Calcutta on their newly acquired possession, the Renegade, to attend their friend's wedding. The year was 1971, where the armed forces were being mobilized for a war against Pakistan to free BanglaDesh. Naxalite tension was prevalent in Calcutta and Delhi was gearing up for the big war. Bold and brave, the two officers set off on their journey, George the driver and Hirak, 'The Pillion Rider'. They make it to Delhi, and the adventure does not stop there. George and Hirak embark on their journey across India, from Delhi to Jhansi, to Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and finally back to Calcutta. What had started as a 7 day road trip to a friend's wedding eventually ended up as a 35 day motorbike feat across the nation.Those were the golden days when the petrol prices were at Rs. 1.25 per liter. If you end up calculating all the money the two men spent on the whole trip, it will not exceed Rs. 1200.
The book is a personal experience, hence there are no dramatic incidents or no turns and twists. On the contrary, it is a very beautiful and realistic narration. What strikes you more is the camaradarie which people from armed forces have. The two bikers make their stops at various venues, and everywhere they enter a regiment office or a PWD guest house or sometimes barge into their ex-colleague's house. They are so warmly greeted, offered food, place to stay and also given generous amounts of money to take their trip forward. I had known about this strong bonding even before, when one of my friends from an army background had mentioned that she had taken a train from Delhi to Gwalior and had booked the ticket for a wrong day. By the time the TC had arrived, the train was well out of the city. She called her husband, who in turn , contacted the army office at the nearest town and someone had come all the way to the railway station to give her the money for her ticket.
For a first book, it is very well written. The language is excellent. The hard work of the author and the editor shows up. Hirak and George are energetic, youthful and daring. Their energy and zeal for life is quite infectious. In the back of my mind, I am still humming the song :
"Country roads, take me home !!!"
So, what are you waiting for??
Read the book, pack your bags. Get,set, go !!
Recommended : 👍👍
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