January 18 – It was Calcutta’s coldest day yet and then it started to drizzle. And in the pitter patter of rain, one could see drops of water dazzle like diamonds on the tree tops lining the lanes and driveways of one of the city’s oldest clubs, the Tolly Club.

The enclosure, Far Pavilion, on the farthest end of the road, was the destination. It was the venue for another of the city’s “oldest”, The Statesman’s age-old tradition of thanking them who stand by and behind it like solid rocks in its ventures of upholding the idea of heritage.

Advertisement

This evening it was about honoring those who made it possible for the oldest English daily to host its most prized annual celebration of heritage, the Vintage Car Rally, which enters its 53rd year this year.

“This evening’s celebration was a token of our immense appreciation for the support we received in conducting the historical event, which has completed half a century and more,” says Vineet Gupta, The Statesman Director, who has been on a mission to revive the newspaper and return it to its former glory days.

“The Statesman’s strength is its journalistic credibility and its conscientious endeavor to retain its individuality and character in the face of fierce competition and challenges which the media globally is confronted with today. I feel we had gone into a dark tunnel, which was a necessary part of a long journey. We are now emerging into the proverbial light at the end of it. And we are extremely grateful to those who have been our friends in dealing with the trying times. They include our guests this evening. Without them we could not have ventured into organizing such events which are a part of the Statesman’s glorious past.”

The glorious legacy of The Statesman’s Vintage Car Rally is remembered by Calcutta with fondness.

Derek O’Brien, Member of the Upper House of Parliament from Bengal’s ruling party, Trinamool told The Statesman, “The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally was very much a part of my growing up. From spectator to a flunky marshal flagging cars to point out the route, to commemorating on the event, many memories. My best wishes to the entire team at The Statesman and all the participants.”

One spots a participant at the Far Pavilion venue. Nandini Chakravarty is the owner of an Austin A7, also known as Baby Austin, which she drives herself at the rally. The car was a wedding gift from her husband which he had bought for Rs 1800 at a scrap yard in the city in 1975 and had it renovated by famous dealers, Wheel Works.

“The car came giftwrapped in 35 yards of white ribbon,” she says. Of course the car cannot be driven throughout the year.

“It is impractical to use it on a regular basis,” she says. Parts are difficult to come by and maintenance is therefore next to impossible.” She has entered the car in the contest 20 times earlier.

“This is a legacy which I am proud to be a part of it,” says another participant. Spotted near the potted plants, decked up with tiny, tinkling light bulbs, which dotted the lawn, were a group of guests whose invaluable contribution financed the event.

Among them was Prem Anup Sinha, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India who expressed happiness to be associated with the legacy of the Vintage Car Rally and wished the journey a successful run. Other sponsors included Prem Anup Sinha, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India; Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, DVC; Ajay Kumar, Zonal Manager, Eastern Zone, Life Insurance Company of India; D.C. Pant, Executive Director, MBA Basin, ONGC; Arijit Basu, Managing Director, Veedol; Rathindra Raman, IRTS, Chairman, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port; Ritwik Roy Barman, Director, Khadim; Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, Coal India; Ratna Shekhar Adika, Chairman and Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie and Company Limited.

The guests chatted, sipped on cocktail, had dinner and expressed happiness at being a part of “the dream journey,” as one participant called it. Yes, it was indeed a cold evening but the drizzle or rain could not wash off the buzz of the warmth created by the family of friends of The Statesman who wished the Vintage Car Rally a happy journey.