Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqaab

Come Jan 10, the world will get to see Tata Motors’ ek-lakhi prototype at the Delhi Auto Expo. That the car will be a product from their Singur factory is a grand cause for celebration for all of us, the natives of Bengal. There are many reasons for that.

First off the list is the one that made the most sound and fury – the opposition protests. Despite that the factory is fast becoming a reality.

The second is that leaving Haldia Petro, Bengal hasn’t seen such a big investment ever. How much has the crisis-ridden Haldia Petro created wealth for the state is a matter of conjecture. But without doubt the Tata Motors plant will add a lot of zeal to the state’s effort to attract investment. It will also open up earning potential for thousands.

The third reason to rejoice is the fact that the car will be an engineering marvel. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, the former CSIR head and now Tata Motors’ director, was effusive when he said this at a function at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture in Kolkata a couple of days back:

It’s an eco-car with a 25 km-per-litre mileage on petrol, meets every international standard and specification, including Euro-4 norms. Acceleration wise, it’s the same as a Maruti 800.

According to Dr Mashelkar, the entire auto world is waiting to take a peek at the car, which many believe can bring in momentous changes in the auto industry both in India and elsewhere.

As the final countdown begins, the veil off the car is lifting ever so slowly, perhaps not to blind us by the sudden exposure of the dazzle beneath. Reminds me of Jagjit Singh’s immortal song: Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqaab, ahista ahista…

And, my readers, who have come to this post attracted by its title… I’ll not disappoint you. Here is the video of the song sung by the ghazal maestro among Bollywood luminaries. Enjoy..