Drive It

Operating out of Safari Nagar in Kondapur is a bit of a challenge some days because of how busy the roads get. Drive It is based right here, where the traffic never really seems to slow down. We spend most of our time sitting in the passenger seat, watching people struggle with the clutch or get nervous when a big bus passes too close. It’s not a glamorous job. The cars get a bit dusty from the construction around Kondapur, and there is always a lingering smell of old air freshener and maybe a bit of exhaust. We spend hours going in circles or practicing reverse parking in tight spots. It’s funny how people get so stiff behind the wheel when they are first starting out. We try to keep things calm, even when someone stalls the engine for the fifth time at a busy intersection. The office itself isn't much to look at, just a place to keep the keys and do some paperwork between sessions. We see all kinds of people, from young students to older folks who finally decided it was time to learn. Every day is pretty much the same routine of checking the oil, filling up the petrol, and heading out into the heat. It’s just about getting from one point to another without any bumps, which is harder than it looks on these streets.