A member of TMC dragged its Founder in a deadly Motorcycle Race. Not only once but twice. How did it happen and how it impacted Dr. Aniruddha, let us read in his own words.
VEKHOSATO, ANIRUDDHA AND THE WHEELS OF FIRE
A Master who cannot bow to a disciple cannot bow to a “Buddha”
~ Shunryu Suzuki, Sōtō Zen monk and Teacher
Tetso Motorcycle Club has concluded an adventurous Motorcycle Ride to Doyapur River Valley in the middle of the heavy rains on 30th April, 2022. The purpose of the ride was not merely to ride to the destination but also to conduct an election for the appointment of new executive committee members for the posts of President, Vice President and Secretary General. As most of the TMC fans and followers must be knowing that TMC has kept the post of Vice President permanently reserved for a lady rider, also it has kept ‘membership’ open even for the non-riders as well. Tetso Motorcycle Club, even though an initiative of Tetso College students has never confined itself to the narrow boundaries of identity. It has reached great heights in the last two years by making its presence felt as a group of socially awakened, learned citizens of the state of Nagaland who not only contributed to the society through their social initiatives but also became a voice of the voiceless.
I, as a Founder of Tetso Motorcycle Club have the honour to lead the team of highly motivated people like Kimiyeka G Yepthomi, Abeni Yanthan, Zaremo Kithan, Vikibe Tsakhalu, Vin K, Imsuwati Longkumer, Joshua Mech who contributed their sweat and resources as officials to the growth story of TMC, also, Imkongtongzuk Jamir-who originally designed the logo of TMC remained a strong support system of the club. However, despite the presence of charismatic leaders, there have been some extraordinary Women and the Men I encountered at Tetso Motorcycle Club and one of them was Vekhosato Dozo.
Vekho is a highly charged up guy who is now currently studying in 6th Semester, BA, English Honours. Since our Club mostly consists of adventurers, weirdos and eccentrics, Vekho too is not an exception.
FLASHBACK-17th April, 2021. Event- First Election Ride. As formalities of TMC Election have been completed at Vihokhu Village we started our engines back to Dimapur. Everything was cool and normal. All were happily riding, eager to reach their home to take rest. I was on my Bahadur singh; enjoying routine speed with tired, withered Imkongnungsang as my pillion who almost slept like a baby over my back. In such an ‘uneventful’ circumstances a sports bike came out of nowhere and passed by me. That was bit like a wake up alarm and my accelerator and gears started to get into a War mode. “Who is this undisciplined idiot breaking the formation?” I thought to myself gearing up for a chase. “Ayaaah Sirrrrrr, keeyaa ho gayaaa”, Imkongnungsang cried behind me. “Nothing, go back to sleep”. I shouted at him. That arrogant Sports Bike was running almost at eighty-ninety kilometers per hour on “Nagaland Special” Roads, unbelievable, that hurt my ego very badly. I was in full competitive spirit. If he can do it, why not me. I totally forgot that I was riding a Royal Enfield-a 200 KG heavy metal and he was riding a Sportster. In no time Sportster la Maalik forced me to reach hundred Kmph, almost impossible and soon after I overtook him. How it happened, I had no idea. Did he reduce speed (on compassionate grounds)? I reached almost hundred and ten Kmph at some point of time. This insanity halted at Green Park junction, Imkong got down and replaced by Kalivi (Kaka), Sportster and Bahadur Singh were ready AGAIN. Engines roared and in sinful traffic of our Dimapur people witnessed Sportster chasing Royal Enfield. This continued till Purana Bazaar since I could no longer see that Bike anywhere. I dropped Kalivi at Veterinary Colony, Burma Camp wondering and admiring that strange rider who dragged me in an epic race. Who was that, who could he be? I lost in my thoughts. I don’t know HOW, but I forgot everything about this remarkable event and got busy in my work.
FAST FORWARD- 30th April, 2022. Doyapur River Valley. “Hayy Peeps, We are going to move immediately after photograph” I shouted. “YESSS SIRRR” Vin K, our Vice President shouted back. TMC was getting ready to move to Dimapur after successful completion of election ride. An epic group photograph was clicked with National Tricolour Flag. Engines Roared. As usual vehicles moved in a single line formation. First River Crossing done. Second River Crossing done. Went up and hit the road. All was okay till then. I was leading. Then a junction came and I got confused so stopped my Bike looking back to get indication as to which way to move. As I was looking back, a familiar looking Sports Bike came roaring with a lady pillion and disappeared. My heart lit up again. “Damn it! TOO MUCH” My natural instincts got in auto mode (my poor pillion. I am still sorry milady!) and Bahadur Singh started chasing Sportster with all his might through wet, slushy (Nagaland Special) roads. We were overtaking each other throughout epic race which finally ended at Green Park Junction. As soon as we stopped we gave “Thumbs Up” to each other. I was extremely happy. “WOW! WOW! Who is this, show your face Man”, I exclaimed. Rider removed his Helmet. He was Vekho. “WELL DONE! You are a great rider, I am happy and proud of you, GUESS WHAT, I was dragged in a race during our last year’s election ride on the way back to Dimapur too, dunno who the guy was, was it Neivor, I think it was Neivor”. I was trying to stress my mind connecting ‘its n bits’ knowing so well that I never saw the face of THAT rider hidden in Helmet who dragged me into a ‘Dopamine Storm’. “Hehehe, that was me Sir, you were with KAKA right”? Vekho chuckled. “Huhh ohhh..yeah..wow, coincidence, coincidence was that you and now you again, fantastic”. Words spilled out of my mouth. “I saw you going so fast, ahead of us, I could not control so I chased. I don’t like staying behind”. His heart finally spoke the truth. That was THE moment I guess I was waiting for.
When a Disciple shows courage to DEFEAT his Master- it is an ultimate victory of a Master. Racing with Vekhosato Dozo was not an ordinary event. I saw a little Man who was willing to take over the world. Tetso Motorcycle Club is a place for people like Vekho- insane, naughty, eccentric, brave, courageous, intelligent.
I was told that there is a joke being cracked about Tetso Motorcycle Club and Tetso Mountaineering Club- they say this at Tetso campus “ONLY PSYCHO, SINGLE AND DAREDEVIL PEOPLE GOES “THERE “”.
FLASHBACK-Year 2005. Month- April. Time-late evening “…and here we are hitting a century..wooohoooo”. A car was running on the coastal road of Marine Drive, Mumbai and a beautiful, tall, pink cheeks Parsi lady was shouting full throat holding steering, pressing accelerator hard.
“You will kill us, stop damn it, you mad woman. ROKO”, I shouted at Mehnaaz. My then 19 Years old heart was engulfed in fear.
“Ae Kaisa rokega bachhaa, look at that ass, going so fast, how dare…hum usko aj dumping ground bhejega“ She was fiercely chasing another Car. She never liked defeat, neither did Vekho nor me.
Riding teaches courage and freedom. Vekho’s attitude reminded me of Mehnaaz who was a fairy on wheels- one who left the world in a ‘Chariot of Fire’.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr Aniruddha Babar, Khangpuiliu Pamei, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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