MB#74: 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝.

[MemoirBlogthon #74] In 1970, our weekend trips to Manginapudi Beach in my father's official Willys Jeep became my classroom. Thanks to my father's trusted driver, Mr. Ahmed, the unique challenge of operating a left-hand drive vehicle on black sand turned into my first, formative lesson in driving confidence and technique.

MB#74: Beach Trip Driving Lesson

The Willys Jeep, Black Sand, and My First Driving Lesson

In 1970, when my father was the Executive Engineer for the Roads and Buildings Department in Krishna District, our family was stationed in Machilipatnam. Life there was defined by the sea. We lived in a residential house near the District Collector’s office, and my father, Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry, had several official vehicles at his disposal, including a rugged Willys Jeep with a left-hand drive (LHD).

Our weekly escape was the 11-kilometer drive to Manginapudi Beach. It wasn't just any beach; it was known for its unique black sand. We would drive the jeep for a few kilometers right along the seashore, the vehicle’s high horsepower making the ride exhilarating.

Our driver, Mr. Ahmed, was a senior employee—loyal, compatible, and always ready with a quiet smile. On these beach trips, I would always claim the middle seat next to him. I was fascinated, observing his every move: how he maneuvered the large vehicle, the precise change of gears, and the crucial hand signals he had to use to alert overtaking vehicles that our jeep was LHD (which was a challenge on India's left-hand traffic roads).

One day, I finally asked him, "Ahmed, can you teach me driving techniques without sitting in front of the steering?"

"Yes, why not?" he replied, and his theory class began right there in the jeep. When we returned home, I would immediately write down and draw the signals he taught me, showing them off to my father.

On a later weekend, convinced I had mastered the theory, I proposed a practical lesson: "Let me try my hand at slow driving along the seashore sands."

The black sand beach, with no traffic and the jeep's powerful engine, was the perfect classroom. I started with slow, low-gear motion. Ahmed, sitting beside me, certified that I had a strong inclination to learn and was careful with the gears under his guidance. He even cautiously informed my father that he had started teaching me at the beach. My father, knowing the traffic risk was zero and trusting Ahmed completely, had no objection.

Ahmed’s confidence in me grew. He suggested I try driving on a traffic-free road. My father, after a serious talk with Ahmed, agreed, placing the full responsibility on the driver in case of any accident.

Ahmed, however, was already prepared. He cleverly made two large, red 'L' plates and fixed them to the front and back of the jeep, loudly announcing that a learner was at the wheel. Over the next few weeks, I drove that LHD jeep successfully about five times on deserted roads. My beach enjoyment had fundamentally transformed into my driving foundation.

That training with Mr. Ahmed—his patience, his dedication, and the unique experience of wrestling with a left-hand drive vehicle—forged my driving flair. When I eventually bought my own car, I became a confident owner-cum-driver, a skill my father often appreciated. I never forget Mr. Ahmed, the loyal driver who used the black sands of Manginapudi to nurture my lifelong driving skills.

MB#74: Quiz

MB74: Question: In 1970, what unique characteristic was Manginapudi Beach known for, making it an unusual but effective classroom for driving?

Change Image

• A. White, powdery sand dunes.
• B. Unique black sand.
• C. Extremely strong tidal waves.
• D. Coral reef formations.

MB#74: Quote

"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment." – John Wooden