I bought my Kwid in 2019 to serve as a transport for my family: my best friend and his wife were about to have a baby, and while we had a car in their native place, it was time we had one in Bangalore. It was also because Uber and Ola were becoming increasingly expensive during a time when traffic in the city was abominable.
One day on a whim, I decided to see how far I could go– if even I could get onto the highway at all! That day, with the music blaring on the system, I drove to Chitradurga, about 200 km away on AH47. I was impressed with myself: I was now able to navigate inner city “roads” in residential areas with houses lining both sides, where I had to back out for 50 meters without space on either side. AND, I could drive highways, at 100 km an hour, alongside large trucks hauling everything from windmill parts and cattle to people, petrol, and produce.
Since those days, I’ve driven across Southern India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka have seen my Joey car racing along their highways, local roads, and even countrysides. Road trips have helped me increase my confidence and awareness of India, getting me to roll down the windows and let the wind whack through my hair (especially in places like Chitradurga and the Madurai windfarm belt).
Now, the Joey car resides in Varanasi, where I’m pursuing a PhD. On the side, Joey car has also gone into Bihar and explored villages and cities there. Joey car has been the first drive for many of my (girl)friends across the country, young women who are eager to increase their independence and self-sufficiency by boosting their confidence through their driving skills.
Road trips are a contemporary way for people to travel throughout India to experience what the countryside has to offer.