First woman photojournalist offered Nano on priority basis

Vadodara, Apr 20 (PTI) India's first woman photographer
Homai Vyarawalla, who is eagerly waiting to drive a Nano after
she parted with her 55-year-old Fiat, has been offered the
first 'people's car' by a Tata Motors dealer here in western
state of Gujarat.

"I was surprised when the local Tata car dealer knocked
at my door two days ago and conveyed the company's decision to
allot the car to me on a priority basis," Vyarawalla told PTI
Monday.

The 96-year-old photographer had expressed her desire to
own a Nano but was apprehensive about her chances of getting
it in the lucky draw system of allotment.

Vyarawalla said that Sulbha Pande, the Assistant General
Manager of the Central Bank of India here, visited her on
Saturday to collect the deposit amount of Rs 95,000. Pande
also promised her financial assistance for the remaining
amount.

"We want to make it a smooth affair for her," Pande said
adding that the veteran photographer is expected to get the
car within two months.

"I stay alone and do everything on my own..I get things
for myself from the market.. and it is easier when you have a
car. It is good on the company's part which realised my
urgency and came forward to offer it," the photojournalist
said.

However, she made it clear that she was not in favour
of approaching Ratan Tata to get the car out of turn and
thanked Tata motors for taking into account her difficulties
and offering her the Nano.

"I am not in a position to run around.. going to local
dealers or banks authorised to book this car due to old age
and it is not possible for me to walk as my legs are not
strong enough..but I am determined to buy the car," she said.

"I was using my Fiat car till January this year but
when the local mechanic refused to repair my Italy-imported
car due to non-availability of required spare parts, I
presented it to my relative in Mumbai," the Parsi lady said.

"I am quite used to doing my work myself and I am not
dependent on anyone and do not want to be a burden.. and that
is why I am buying this car," she said.

When asked whether she would be able to drive at this
age, without a hand gear system, Vyarawalla said, "I will
learn it...It is not a big problem for me."

Vyarawalla has clicked photographs of Late Prime
minister Jawaharlal Nehru, late Indira Gandhi, her husband
Feroz Gandhi, late Vijayalaxmi Pandit, Lady Mountbatten, late
Morarji Desai and other dignitaries from India and abroad. PTI
COR
PMR