To listen or not to listen
The art of motorcycle maintenance and body-mind maintenance is surprisingly the same
The last time I bought a vehicle for myself was in 2000—a Hero Honda CD 100 SS. My mother gave me Rs. 10,000 for the down payment, and I booked it despite knowing that the model was about to be discontinued. The desire to own this bike had likely taken root during my school days. A friend’s father had the same model, and my friend would often flaunt it.
For the past 25 years, my bike has never given me a single headache. It became a part of the family—and finds its place in the family photo albums. It carried my wife, my kids, and me on countless local trips until a few years ago. Even now, the bike runs just fine, but there's a problem—I have no documents. The registration certificate, insurance, and the No-Objection Certificate (which the Motor Vehicle Act mandates for vehicles over 15 years old) are all lost. I have no choice but to sell it. But my son is completely against it, as if I’m sending a loyal, old milking cow to the butcher’s shop.
Meanwhile, I bought an electric vehicle just last month. I spent weeks understanding this new animal called EV, test-driving several models before finally settling on the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter. As with everything I purchase, I wanted it to last—hopefully for the next 25 years. And in all likelihood, it will. Chetak is the only electric scooter in the market with an all-steel body, built for durability. As long as I charge it optimally and avoid high-speed riding, I won’t have to replace the battery too often.
I know why my old bike lasted so long—I was always a gentle boss. I never pushed it to its limits or rode at high speeds. I’m a slow driver or someone who finds pleasure in slow rides. To ensure my new vehicle lasts just as long, I don’t need to change much—except for one thing. This time, I’ll make it a habit to clean it regularly and take it in for routine checkups and maintenance, something I never did for my old bike.
But then, a question crossed my mind—will I outlive the vehicle, or will the vehicle outlive me? Ideally, we should both cross the 25-year mark together. I’m nearing 50, which means I should still be riding this scooter well into my 70s.
Come to think of it, the same principles that ensure a vehicle’s longevity apply to the body and mind as well. Both require good fuel, regular checkups, and gentle handling. Good fuel translates to good food—no compromises there. I must do my best to avoid hotel food. Regular checkups? It’s not so much about visiting hospital specialists. Nature has its own 'specialists': a neem stick, the world’s best dentist; the sun, the greatest dietitian; the outdoors, the perfect ophthalmologist; skipping, the finest cardiologist—and many more. And as for gentle handling, it means not letting my mind drive me—or others—crazy in the pursuit of perfection, achievement, or lofty goals. It’s about mastering the art of living with the mind, which comes down to just two simple steps: knowing when to listen to it and when to ignore it.
Best,
Sankar G
Rajapalayam
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I value your feedback, so please feel free to reply directly to this email or reach out at sankar@sankarg.com. You can also contact me via phone or WhatsApp at +91-9790276206.
I’m a freelance writer specialising in writing and editing content such as articles, blog posts, press releases, speech drafts, and corporate/marketing communication materials. I frequently conduct workshops for young authors.to help them hone their craft. My work includes authoring books (here is my books page) and developing ideation frameworks, with a strong focus on practical application and inspiration. I also conduct workshops on innovation, digital transformation, and change management.