Jawa roars

“Jawa is my jaan”- A day out for Yezdi and Jawa bike owners

ENARADA, Mangalore July 14, 2013:

It was the second Sunday of July and naturally the day was special for owners of Jawa and Yezdi bikes to bring out vintage bikes on the roads and celebrate the International Jawa Day.

Enthusiastic riders in the city numbering about 25 had queued up early in the morning at Kadri to enjoy a 200 km round trip from Mangalore to Hebri, Someshwara.

The event was in such a way so that riders from Shimoga, Koppa, Udupi, Karkala and other parts of coastal and Malnad region could have rendezvous at 12 noon at Someshwara and share their experiences of owning and riding a Jawa bike.

In Mangalore the International Jawa Day is celebrated under the auspices of Mangalore chapter of All India Club – The Mangalore Jawa & Yezdi Motorcycle Club.

Most of the Jawa and Yezdi owners in the city are members of the Club.  It is in fact interesting to note that many of the Jawa and Yezdi owners were youngsters who have developed a passion for the bikes.  For some it is a legacy from their parents and others just developed the passion on their own.

Jayashankar who is basically from Calicut and is studying Engineering in the city had come to Kadri from Kasaragod with his mean machine to enjoy the 200 km trip.   For Jayashankar the Jawa he owns is a legacy from his father and Jayashankar rides it for the last six years. “Jawa is my jaan”, he says with pride and adds “for me riding this bike is a passion.  I am possessive about my bike and treat it like a treasure”.

Sakshar from Kolkotta who is working for an IT major in Mangalore is also a passionate bike rider.  Though he owns an Enfiled Thunderbird had come to encourage his friends and accompany their in the rally.  Sakshar had toured All India in his Enfiled and had gone to Ladakh on his bike with the message to save the girl child.

Dr Brijesh Khandige, a doctor by profession and Yezdi owner never misses a chance to take part in the international Jawa day ride.  “I am a true lover of my bike and it is a joy to share our views and exchange ideas with people who share a similar passion.  The club has given us a forum to exchange our ideas”, he stated.

After meeting in Someshwar the riders rode back to the city and participated in the rally around the city.  About 25 bikes participated in the rally much to the amusement of the public.

REPORT FROM MYSORE:
Owners of yesteryear’s famous Jawa motorcycles  took out a rally in the city  to mark the international Jawa Day, under the banner of  Jawa Friends Club.

Enthusiastic motorists started the rally from Regency theatre premises in Ittegegud  with approximately 185 Vintage Jawa and yezdi bikes of 1957 Jawa CZ 175 cc, Jawa twin cylinder 350 cc, Yezdi 350, Yezdi Roadkings, Oilking, Yezdi ‘B’ type and Yezdi Colt ,1947 to 1996 models.

SP of Excise and Lottery Enforcement Cell Basavaraj Malagathi, flagged off the rally, by riding a vintage bike for a distance. The rally passed through main streets along with the place where Jawa factory stood earlier in Yadavagiri, culminating at Bal Bhavan in Bannimantap. Today, apartments have come up on the land where the Jawa factory was once situated.

Earlier, senior Jawa mechanics and employees of Jawa factory Anwar, Prabhakar, Manju, Shankar, Sangam, Majid and others were felicitated.

The word ‘Jawa’ was coined using the first letters of Czech founder Janeek Frantisek and Wanderer, the German bike he started producing at his plant in Prague. But for Mysoreans, Jawa is also the acronym for its ruler Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.

Gavin Wilson of CZ Jawa Yezdi Owners Club of Mysore who had been organising the event till last year, was absent today.