I belong to a brat generation that, in its teens, stole a ride or two on their father’s Bajaj scooter. We shifted to stylish four-stroke bikes during our colleges days, but many of us would invariably switch over to a trusted scooter, which carried a family of three or four: husband, wife and children--the youngest on mother’s lap and the older standing behind the handlebar, defended by the scooter’s front fork and secured firmly by the father’s legs from the sides. The scene remains unchanged even now; the difference is the scooters of various brands have gone gearless and the old lot has long vanished from the streets, barring some that the Bajaj lovers have maintained to keep roadworthy. I shifted to a bike later in my life, but never thought of selling a milky-white Bajaj Stride scooter my father gifted me in 1993 in anticipation that I would soon start my family and need it for carrying safely his bahu and the grandchild.

Rahul Bajaj, who passed away on Saturday, was synonymous with happiness in hard times and the status the country’s working class attained by owning a product from his stable. He truly showed us ‘buland Bharat ki buland tasveer’ many moons ago. I was so proud to ride a Bajaj three-wheeler abroad. The drivers said it was one of the best things India offered them--cheaper, sturdier and reliable.