Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Brunch
Cars And Corona
How to commute safely during the pandemic
There is no end in sight for the coronavirus pandemic, which has shattered all facets of our lives and instituted a new world order or, to use an overused phrase, ‘a new normal.’ With lockdowns still in place in several parts of the country, minimal public transport and restricted movement expected to continue, the question everyone is asking is: ‘How do I get safely from point A to point B?’ We answer this, and other questions that are topmost on people’s minds.
SHOULD YOU SWITCH FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE TRANSPORT?
With public transport ground to a halt in most parts of the country, you don’t really have a choice though there are skeletal bus services and a few trains operational.
But it is highly recommended to stay away from public transport. Despite the promise of regular sanitation and social distancing measures, it is almost impossible to avoid being in close proximity to your fellow commuters, which sharply increases the risk of getting infected by the virus. Travelling in your own car or on your bike is far safer. In fact, a personal car is a safe haven but you still have to take precautions.
The trouble is that if everyone ditches public transport for their own set of wheels, our already congested roads will choke, but the new work-from-home culture could offset that risk.
IS THIS THE BEST TIME TO BUY A CAR?
This is a good time as any to buy a set of wheels, especially when public transport isn’t a great option. Car sales are down by half and car makers are struggling to attract buyers. But don’t expect big discounts because this huge drop in demand has been accompanied by a drop in supply. Plants are still not running with a full workforce and travel restrictions have made it a logistical challenge to get cars to showrooms.
However, there are always deals to be availed and carmakers across the board are waving carrots in the form of attractive finance schemes, deferment of repayment and longer term loans allowing lower EMIS. Prospective car buyers should make the most of these initiatives as these were hard to come by before the pandemic.
Those who don’t want the financial burden of owning a car can look at various subscription options
WOULD IT BE WISER TO BUY A USED CAR OR EVEN SUBSCRIBE?
When saving every rupee is the prudent thing to do, buying a used car makes a lot of sense because it costs so much less. This is especially true right now because the move to BS6 this April pushed up the prices of new cars significantly and widened the gap with used (BS4) cars. So for those on a tighter budget, it’s worthwhile scoping out the used car market.
However, it’s not easy to find a good used car because many owners have put off plans to buy a new car and hence have no need to trade in their existing car.
Those who don’t want the financial burden of owning a car can look at the various subscription options that have popped up. You can get a wide choice of cars with a monthly subscription plan from several service providers or the company itself. All you have to do is, pay a monthly fee and enjoy your car for the agreed tenure.
COULD A NEW CAR BE CARRYING THE CORONAVIRUS?
Theoretically, yes. If the surfaces of the new car have been contaminated by an infected person, the virus may stick around on steel and plastic surfaces for as long as 72 hours according to some studies. While it is debatable how infectious these are, car sellers have introduced measures for disinfecting your car before delivery. Even the test drive vehicles and showroom cars are being disinfected to allay the fears of new car buyers.
CAN YOU TRAVEL BY ROAD?
Driving your own car is by far the safest way to travel. There’s no fear of being next to an unknown person and you are cocooned nicely in your cabin. But there are lots of restrictions when travelling long distances, which vary from state to state. So, venture out only if you need to and have the necessary paperwork. Keep those wheels turning.
Sanjay Bhattacharya, (60), Painter and Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, (25), Musician
With painter Sanjay Bhattacharya for a father, Sanjeeta grew up listening to the old Hindi music he loved, traces of which she finds in her musical compositions today. Her earliest
memories are those of him painting, clicking pictures, singing and reading poetry. “I would entertain the family by singing and dancing when they ate,” laughs Sanjeeta.
“I am grateful to have an artist
“I’M GRATEFUL TO HAVE AN ARTIST AS MY FATHER. HIS PROFESSION EXCITES ME BUT I HAVE NEVER SHOWN AN AFFINITY TOWARDS PAINTING.”
stand up for what they believe in,” Sudip explains.
Similarly, Sudip has inspired Sumit to work hard. “I’ve seen my dad struggle. He has offered to write Bengali rap for me!” says Sumit.
Arundhati Nag, (63), Theatre artist and Kaavya Nag, (35), Entrepreneur
K“PARENTS WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR KIDS, SO THEY SEE WHAT
WE CANNOT”
aavya has been going for her mother Arundhati Nag’s rehearsals since she was four.
“It taught me a lot of patience,” laughs Kaavya, who makes soaps and coconut oil.
Kaavya’s stage fright ensured she was never keen on acting. “I’m
of the Ganga-jamuna culture. Our foods, music, dance, dress, language and traditions take the best of the two communities and put them together into beautiful mosaics that make the individual elements shine and remain relevant,” explains Saran. “In Kayasth homes, khichri, tehri, Kabuli pulao and biryanis are common fare. The pairing of rice and lentils is a given exercise almost daily in some way, shape or form.”
TWIST IN THE TALE
While the medicinal rice-and-lentil porridge or mareezon ki khichri is made when the stomach needs rest, a sabz-daar or vegetable-rich khichri is made when the mind needs a reflective moment to meditate on the senses of taste, touch, scent, and sight.
Saran adds a tweak to the traditional home recipe. “I fry the moong dal in a pan to make it darker in colour and for its natural oils to be released. This nutty flavour becomes the faint yet easily-savoured spine of the dish. My family and relatives make many versions of khichri with vegetables, but none has the sequential addition of flavours that my recipe has!” he winks.
Saran recalls how his dad’s uncle, a retired IAS officer, made this for his family when they briefly moved from Delhi to Nagpur where his father, a bureaucrat, was posted. “Mausaji and mausiji were visiting us and he made this for us for dinner. A most beautiful gift. I am sure mausaji’s work with the Nizam of Hyderabad might have had some role in the roots of this dish. Perhaps this memory also gave me the confidence to cook without caring about the bullying I might face as a boy who cooked. We found the khada masalas (whole spices) and the use of vegetables a most incredible departure from the usual boring-yet-comforting khichri. Mom’s adoption of the recipe in our family culinary repertoire was quick,” says Saran who has found this dish comforting since he was six years old.
With his ‘Birbal ki khichri’ recipe, Saran honours his mausaji’s legacy with a 21st century update. “This is my homage to his skills, his nurturing nature, and his confidence in being a man who could cook with carefree abandon. Memories of food remain with us until our very end. This is one memory that will forever keep any other khichri from seducing me,” he says.