ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

In the last two decades, India has seen unprecedented growth in public infrastructure. We set out to experience some of it first hand, in partnership with Mahindra and JK Tyre

- Pablo Chaterji

In 2002, this magazine suffered a tragedy. Its beloved photographer at the time, Deepak Tolani, passed away in a road accident, and naturally the entire team was devastated – but they also decided to do something in his honour. An idea was developed – a hugely ambitious plan to drive through all of India’s states in 29 days. It was pitched to Mahindra, which instantly agreed to support it, and to provide Scorpios; importantly, it was also pitched to all the other automotive magazines, all of which also immediately agreed to join the drive. Thus was born the 29 States, 29 Days drive, the likes of which had never been done before in India; unsurprisingly, it was a resounding success, with everyone doing their bit to band together for a good cause.

22 years later, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu – all of India’s premier automotive media operating as one, driving Scorpio Ns through the length and breadth of the country for a good cause. What was it on this occasion? An idea whose time had come – AJAI, or the Automotive Journalists Association of India.

This is something that has been on the minds of the steering committee of the ICOTY/IMOTY juries for a few years now – an association that looks after the interests of automotive journalists, works towards creating safer driving conditions in the country and grooms the next generation of automotive journalists. Now that it has been formally instituted, membership will soon be thrown open to everyone in the automotive media space, and hopefully AJAI will be able to contribute towards creating some truly meaningful things. Mahindra and JK Tyre were quick to join the drive as partners, so shoutouts are due to them.