I meet my idol, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj at the Auto Expo..!!
"I heard a voice behind me which said, "Excuse Me.." I turned around and saw a tall smiling guy.
The guy then said, "Are you Satadal Payeng..??"
I know this is late, but I wanted to post about the bikes showed at the Auto Expo 2008 first, and then post about a personal experience of mine.
Just look at the pic/photo posted below.. the guy on the right is yours truly "Satadal Payeng" (thats me) and the towering figure on the left is Bajaj Auto MD, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj..!!
The Author with Mr. Rajiv Bajaj
How did I meet my idol..??
It was the 10'th of January.. which was the first day of the 9'th Auto Expo. Since the first day was reserved for the press and persons with exhibitor passes, there wasn't much of a crowd in the morning.
I was loitering around at the Bajaj Auto Pavilion, clicking pictures of the displays. After a few minutes at the Bajaj Pavilion I heard a voice behind me which said, "Excuse Me.." I turned around and saw a tall smiling guy. The guy then said, "Are you Satadal Payeng..??
I was obviously surprised but told him, "Yes.. I am Satadal Payeng, but how do you know me..?? The smiling guy said, "Hi.. I am Manish Tandon, Sr. Manager from Bajaj Auto. I know you because I read your blog..!!"
As I spoke with him, I realized that Mr. Tandon knew whatever I had so far posted on "The Bike Chronicles of India". He knew that I have a Pulsar 220. He also knew that I have quit my I.T job to join a company which is related to the Auto Sector.
Boy O Boy..!! I did not know what to say.. it was indeed very flattering to know that someone from Bajaj Auto reads my blog.. and that too someone in a senior position..!!
His job as a Sr. Manager "Product Planning" demands that he should know what our "desi" bikers "Want and Need".
But how many Sr. Managers do you know, who are ready to go out of their way to interact with bikers..??
Mr. Tandon is a Sr. Manager, "Product Planning" from the ** Ahead Team. And for those who don't know, the ** Ahead Team ("Stars Ahead") is the R&D Team of Bajaj Auto..!!
We spoke about the Auto Expo and bikes among other things. When I pointed my finger to the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Mr. Tandon asked me to quote a price, which I think would be appropriate for the Ninja 250R in India. I told him that a price between Rs. 2.0-2.5 lakhs should be just right.. in fact the lower the price tag, the better. But not above Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
Just then I saw Mr. Rajiv Bajaj come out into the Bajaj Pavilion. I asked Mr. Tandon, if Mr. Rajiv Bajaj reads my blog.. to which he said that "probably not". I was a little bit disappointed but nevertheless I told Mr. Tandon that I would love to click a photo with him (Mr. Bajaj).
Mr. Tandon then introduced me with Mr. Bajaj. I said "Hi" to him, shook his hand and asked if I could click a photo with him. He said sure..
..and that's how I got my photo with Mr. Rajiv Bajaj
I had read that Mr. Bajaj is reticent and quiet guy. I did not get to speak much with him.. I would have loved to speak more with him, but then I realized that there were other important things for him to attend to. But Man..!! Never in my life could I have imagined that I would meet, shake hands and get my photo clicked with one of my Idols..!!
Unlike Mr. Bajaj, Mr. Tandon loves to interact with bikers. Of course his job as a Sr. Manager "Product Planning" demands that he should know what our "desi" bikers want and need. But how many Sr. Managers do you know, who are ready to go out of their way to interact with bikers..?? Not to mention, also care to read what a biker/blogger next door like me doodles on his online diary.
Mr. Tandon gave me his card and asked me to stay in touch with him. Thanks a lot Mr. Manish Tandon.. You made my Day..!!
[After this post, there might be some loose tongues which will "again" accuse me of being on the rolls of Bajaj Auto..!!
But, I don't give a damm to what they say.]
Related Posts:
Auto Expo 2008 Coverage:
Yamaha India
- What's so Special about the Yamaha YZF-R15..?? Know more
- Yamaha YZF-R15 and the Vixion from Indonesia..!!
- High Resolution Pic/Photo of the Yamaha YZF-R15..!!
- Yamaha YZF R-15 @ Auto Expo 2008
- Yamaha shows FZ-150 a Sexy "Prototype" @ Auto Expo 2008
Bajaj Auto
- Kawasaki Ninja 250R coming to India soon..!!
- Bajaj Auto will bring in the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R and KTM Bikes in 2008..!!
- 125 cc Bajaj XCD Sprint DTSi @ Auto Expo 2008
- Bajaj Discover 150 DTSi @ Auto Expo 2008
TVS Motors
- Fuel Injected Apache RTR 160 "Fi" @ Auto Expo 2008
- 125 cc TVS Flame and 125 cc Yamaha Gladiator SS/RS @ Auto Expo 2008
Royal Enfield, Honda, Hero Honda, Suzuki
- Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2008
- Concept Bikes CBF from Honda India (HMSI)
- Honda, Hero Honda, Suzuki Pavilions @ Auto Expo 2008
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
14 Comments:
I guess nothing else can be the best example of being at the right place at the right time (as you say!!)
All I can say is Congrats!!!!!
OOPSY how goofy of me........I posted my first comment without reading your entire content (just went by the title of the blog hehehehe).
But those last two line are nothing less than hammering the last nail onto ones coffin.
Yo Dude, u rock!!!!!
Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy - O - Boy
What more should i say :-D. Who will not be happy when one comes to know that someone whom one has not met at all comes and says "I read your blogs and even know your current career status" :-O ...
Why worry about others who will wag their tails ... ooops tongue, when bajaj people (except for the servicing part) are exactly what you expected them to be.
They are atleast hearing to people :-D
Good Job, SP..
Keep it up..
You mean you "don't" give a damn what they say..
well u got ur wish fulfilled.u must be really happy.
but i have a question for u.do u really think that ninja 250 is worth 2.5 lakhs?i mean in USA it is around $3500 that means 1.4lakhs.and if bajaj brings it in complete knocked form it is never going to be more than 2lakhs.
Great post yaar. You kept the best for last :-)
dats too cool man....congrats..
I feel so proud to be a owner of a 220, 150Dtsi and a 180 today. And please god bajaj get the Z1000 here I'll sell my soul for it!
Congrats dude...btw what did Mr Tandon say about the price of the ninja?? :)
@Ranjit..
yes, it was a typo.. :-) thanks for pointing that out. Have got it corrected.
@Everyone,
thanks guys..
I think that if the Ninja is priced around 1.9-2.1 lakhs, it would be a great price.
Mr. Tandon did not give a final price but probably the Ninja should not be more than 2.5 lakhs.
Extraordinary Diary of a Biker Next Door.
Gr8 Achievement
Nyah nyah-na na-nyah....nyah... Payeng is on Bajajs roll.... ;)
Awesome man...glad to hear Bajaj hearing the common bikers plea! and their *desperation*
S-E-R-V-I-C-E
P-E-R-F-O-R-M-A-N-C-E K-I-T-S!
Where is the Pulsy upgrade?
Et tu Satyen bro..??
:-)
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