Photo Gallery - Car Rally

There was a nip in the air but CATS were busy

working out the strategies and formulae to win the rally...

despite practically each of the CAT Drivers and Navigators

cutting their teeth in Rallying for the first time...

Whilst the passengers had a merry time over a cuppa cha :)


As the flag off was getting delayed, CATS noticed a bouquet lying on the podium... We thought of putting this forlorn looking bouquet to a better use.. We distributed each of the gerberas to the driver felines and the white drops foliage was given to each of the navigators, to keep peace in the car once the rally begins ;-)


It was really great fun... CATS were amusingly happy with the blooms... till we saw one of the organisers Gauri walking towards us with sheer horror writ across her face!!



What we had assumed to be a lonely looking bouquet, had actually been put on the podium for the Chief Guest!!!

YES... I put my hand up... CATS looted the bouquet... WITHOUT GUILT ;-)

Team of CATS posing gleefully for the cameras..
9 cars comprising of 27 drivers, navigators and co-passengers participated in this car rally...

Hip Hip MEOW :)

As the kick off was still no where in sight, CATS decided to make productive use of their time... We went towards the Vintage Cars Section of the rally and inspected each of the golden beauties.. rightfully so ;-)

This lovely Mini drew every CAT's attention when it rolled in.. Upon seeing a 'Punjabi sized' driver in this tiny car, CAT AP could not resist commenting, 'It seems that in the process of feeding the driver, they forgot to feed the car!!!'

The sister of the driver heard the wise crack..

fortunately they turned out to be friends...

Jaako Raakhe Saiyaan, Maar Sake Na Koe ;-)

Whilst the rest were busy in entertaining themselves, CAT Harpreet chose to focus on the rally with his driver Kanchna...

At 9am, all of us packed ourselves into our respective cars

full of determination and hope in our hearts...

and.. errrr... butterflies in our stomachs!!

Well.. it was first time for all of us you see..
not only the cars.. but the relationships were at stake here in each car ;-)

Since ALL of us were busy either driving or navigating or yelling or simply getting lost along the way... no one had the time to take the pictures of CATS through the bellowing dust on the challenging non-tarmac roads in the hills leading to Barog..

In the process of reading the Road Book upside down and peeling the eyes open to spot the ever so important TCs and PCs to keeping an eye on the mileage counter and working furiously on the calculators or calling up fellow CATS to ensure we were on the right track having got all the stamps.. Phew... Some pencils got thrown out of the cars... Some Road Books got thrown on the floor.. Some wrong turnings were taken... and some tempers got flared...

Blimy.. It was hard work!

Given that CAT Rita and our car had missed a TC, CAT Ashish A gave up on navigating CAT Gopika in the first 15mins, CAT Rachna was spotted running amok in all directions a few minutes into the rally, CAT Kanchna's car not noticed much along the way,CAT Sandy was way behind in Chandigarh whilst rest of us had almost crossed Panchkula, CAT Gurneet and CAT Monica's car simply missed the 'Chakki Ka Mor' and went app.20kms off track courtsey their respective navigators, our hopes of winning any position in the rally at that time rested on our calm and collected CAT AP navigating CAT Mona.

Chal Akela Chal Akela Chal Akela...

Tera Mela Peechhe Chhoota Rahi Chal Akela...

Though tempted many a times to give up along the way,

CATS kept driving and calculating...

Stop not till the goal is reached...

Whilst the (allegedly called) adult CATS were busy analysing the rally,
the young CATS had a gala time at the resort...

Tired CATS resting a while after lunch at Barog...

Special recognition was given to CATS having given 9 teams to the rally of 29 participants... The only consolation :(

We were surprised and equally disappointed that none of our CATS, especially CAT AP and Mona got a position in the rally, but that did not stop us from having fun!

Though this guy's jacket read PANK rather than PUNK, for the benefit of CAT Paramjeet who was ready with his camera, CAT Charanjeet actually went upto him and said, 'Sir, what a nice jacket you are wearing!!'

CATS after having spent a memorable day on the road...

with little 'participants' trophies and roses in their hands and

heart full of stories to share with our grand children!!

At 4pm we started our journey towards Chandigarh..

But not without sharing a steaming cup of coffee at CCD before Jabli to lick our wounds and for a feedback session.. Some drank.. others ate... rest snored !!!

We believe in complete democracy you see ;-)

I could not possibly end this travelogue without sharing a memorable story with you from the day. CAT Ashish A having done 3 rounds of Fortis Hospital in the very beginning, realised that he's facing an uphill task in navigating CAT Gopika. He spotted us at some point and asked CAT Gopika to blindly follow us! Upon leaving the national highway when he reached TC4, the TC Marshall said to him, 'Sir, you have missed the first 3 TCs.' Quick qitted that he is, CAT Ashish A said, 'Shukar kero tum mil gaye!!'

JAI HO :)

We may not have won any awards, but had won many a hearts though. Full marks for our dear CAT Aradhika also who gave full support to CATS through the complete process. We are also grateful to Mr JD; CEO of SantaBanta.com for having agreed to contribute towards eduCATe under their CSR initiative.

- CAT Supreet