Racing Through Life

Ace Indian F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and his lovely better half Pavarna were in the city for a felicitation function organised by The Tamil Nadu Kamma Naidu Mahajana Sangam after him winning the Padma Shree. When I engaged them in a tête-à-tête

On Padmashree

“I felt great and terribly happy. I consider it as recognition not just for me, but for the entire motorsport fraternity. It was a great honour for me to receive the award from the President of India. The style in which the function was conducted itself provides an avid feeling.”

Being an F1 driver

“A lot of skill is involved. Determination and consistent hard work is very important when it comes to motorsport. Of course, support from the family too plays a big role.”

As a pioneer

“Being a pioneer, we will have to take an extra-effort and have to do more. As racing was not that recognized and an accepted sport, I had to put in more effort and time into it.”

Making a difference

“Yes, it did I would say. After me winning the F1 title, people in India, especially those in the South, have become more aware about the motorsport racing. Many are now showing their interest in this sport and are coming forward, which is an appreciable act. India is going to host its first F1 race in Delhi next year. These are all not things that happened over a night.”

Role of parents

My family is responsible for what I am. For someone to become successful, they should be allowed to live their dreams. My parents allowed me to live my dream and now I am here.

Due recognition

We can’t criticize the love for cricket. It’s a sport which can be played and enjoyed by the common man. But now, the people and even the government has started giving due recognition to other sports too (citing his Padma Shree). That is a good trend.

About your car

“It’s my office; it’s my world.”

For budding racers

“Four years ago, I started Speed NK Racing team to identify, nurture and groom young Indian racing drivers into potential champions. I am still doing it and will also continue it in future.”

You and Coimbatore

In India, Coimbatore has produced a large number of racing drivers. Maybe that I was born and brought up here, I was so biased to motorsport from even my childhood. The people here are so supportive and encouraging.

So how do Pavarna look at things being the wife of ‘the fastest Indian in the world’! Excerpts from a chat with her:

“I felt so proud when he was recognized by the Indian Government. Also, this is a unique profession and he was the only one in the 1.2 billion to become a F1 driver. That’s really fantastic.”

Unique factor about Narain

“He is very humble and that is the very first thing everyone, who knows him, talks about. His achievements have not made any difference in him as a person. There are only a few persons who live their dream and happy that he is one among them.”

The dream you are living

“I too am living his dream. At least for now, my dreams, aspirations and everything are towards molding Narain’s dreams.”

Narain as a family man

“He is a very family-bound person, who loves to be always at home when he is not into racing. He always entertains guests at home, rather than going out.”

Motorsport crazy

“Am crazy about motorsport as this is our life. It brought us to where we are now. Though I miss few of his matches, I always prefer to be with him as I could know his state of mind and could provide moral support.”

The risk factor

I think living and achieving our dream is more important. Even you walk on the road, it has a certain risk. If you take the risk part more into consideration, we can never succeed in our life.

Future plans

“Once he has more time in hands, we are planning to open a school to groom the young race drivers to meet international standards. We have to give something back to the motorsport and we would work together for it.

Advertisement