Nano for nonagenarian

Though the Tata Nano may be largely meant for young people and nuclear families, in Baroda the country’s first lady photojournalist Homai Vyarawalla cannot wait to book the new car. The feisty 94-year-old lives alone in a small house and until January this year drove her 1955 model black Fiat which has since been sent to a relative in Bombay when it became difficult to repair in Baroda, reports The Indian Express (IE) dated March 26, 2009.

Homai Vyarawalla: Nano dreams

In the course of her career Vyarawalla has been witness to many events in the country’s history. Now, she awaits fresh history being made by the "people’s car.” She told IE, "Nano looks good. Although I have seen it only in photographs, I quite like it.” She has expressed apprehensions about it as well. "I doubt if I would get it in my lifetime, as they have only a few Nanos. They will be giving it through a lucky draw. So chances are not very high. But if they give me the first chance to buy, I will buy it for sure,” she averred.

When quizzed by the newspaper whether, considering her advanced age, she can drive the Nano, the spirited Vyarawalla responded: "You are wrong. I am more comfortable driving a car than walking. I do my own work and I don’t keep servants. I get things for myself from the market. If I have a car, it is easier to keep things in it. It’s difficult to lift bags at this age.”

However, Vyarawalla’s love for her Fiat remains undiminished. "I still miss my old Fiat. I was not willing to part with it. It was a very friendly car. The only problem… was that there was no one to repair it.” Since Fiats still run in Bombay, she opted to send it to Pourusasp Pavri, a vintage car collector. "Vyarawalla is my dad’s aunt. I drive her car occasionally. We have a lot of old mechanics here who can take care of old cars,” he informed IE.