Iconic vintage vehicles from yesteryears that once ruled the Indian roads once again hit the roads of Kolkata. These colourful periodic pieces meandered through the roads of the metropolis, from the historic Eastern Command Sports Stadium to Gariahat, in the south of the city. Hoards of people from and beyond the city and the country descended here in Kolkata to view these impressive automobiles of the bygone era, adding glitter to the celebration of the 53rd Statesman Vintage and Classic Car rally.

Dr Ananda Chanda, who has been a judge at the rally for 11 years and 5 years and is the Master of Ceremonies (MC), revealed his emotional connect with the convoy of vintage wheels to The Statesman. “The rally was overall a success, yet a sunny winter morning would have been better as these colourful vehicles would be in full bloom. It is also to be noted that the crowd is comparatively smaller than the previous year.

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First, it should also be noted that many people were apprehensive of the rally because of other massive events in and around the city. Second, we have conducted this year’s event a little earlier than usual. There are a few cars that need a comparatively longer period of time than the rest, and hence couldn’t participate in this year’s rally”. Madhuri Bose, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s grandniece and her husband Maxwell Gaylard came all the way from London, especially to be among the guests at this event. “I am glad to attend this car rally after so many years of missing it due to my stay overseas.

This event has collected my left-over reminiscences from that past, as I have always turned up for this rally since my childhood. We’ll try our best to bring Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 76-yearold, four-door black German Wanderer Sedan (restored and currently at Netaji Bhavan for public display), as it is in perfect condition and can effortlessly run several miles”. Gaylard, too, was euphoric as a first-timer at the rally, and he hopes to come again next year. Mainak Bannerjee, the head of the marketing department of the Indian multinational footwear company, Khadims, is both a spectator and a sponsor of this major event.

“I am over the moon to see that car owners have maintained their historic pieces just like one of their own children. Arrangements are perfectly done, therefore everyone on this ground is here with utter joy, enthusiasm, and vigour”. This rally was also a hit among young car enthusiasts. A group of youngsters in their mid-20s gave The Statesman an insight into their eagerness to attend the car rally every possible year.

One of them, Arghyadeep Bannerjee, says: “I have been coming here since 2016, as I have always had a keen interest in cars and their mechanisms, especially if they are vintage. During the pandemic years, the rally halted temporarily, but I feel full of the joys of spring because this rally is now finally back on track”