BBC Top Gear India – July 2019

(singke) #1
Thirteen years ago, I stepped into
TopGear’s Mumbai office for some work
that had nothing to do with working for
it. But the then editor, Gautam Sen,
offered me an opportunity because as
luck would have it, he was looking for
“someone like me” in his team –
someone with a few years of
automotive journalism. Haven’t looked
back since. Never in my wildest dreams,
even as a young journalist in love with
cars, did I ever see myself lead this iconic brand
eventually. Well, that’s life. Expect the unexpected.
Unfortunately, every story needs to end. Even a
happy one. This is the last issue of TopGear in India.
At least for the time being (Did I mention, expect the
unexpected). The licence ownership is changing
hands and a new phase of BBC TopGear in India is
under discussion as I write this. When/if will it restart?
To be honest, I don’t have the answer to that even
though I sincerely wish I had that to share with you.
After all, this 14-year journey of TopGear has been
powered only by the love and support of its readers,
followers and supporters. On behalf of the team, I

cannot thank you enough for it.
Of course, every end has a natural consequence —
gives birth to a new beginning. I am hoping we will be
able to share that news too. Thanks to social media,
staying in touch isn’t too tough. What was tough
though was putting our heart and soul one last time
for this issue knowing we have to let go of it. Since you
are reading this, it means we have managed to
deliver, one last time.
In this issue, we bring you stories from around the
world that will make you fall in love with cars and
bikes and the world of automobiles all over again.
So, from an exotic Ferrari 812 Superfast to the just
launched MG Hector, we bring to you the whole hog
of new cars to reach our shores. The industry is in a
temporary depression (or so the sales numbers say)
but we are seeing a whole new breed of cars and
bikes heading our way. You will be spoilt for choice,
for sure.
The next few years will see many regulation
changes which would change the face of our
automotive scenery. Or so it seems to me. Hopefully,
we’ll come around to tell you more about it. Be good,
drive safe. Enjoy the issue.

Girish Karkera
CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER & EDITOR
Tw i t te r@karkeragirish

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Issue 167 July 2019


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