AneStory

What happens when you put too much fate in one silly machine called computer? Well, that’s what happened! After the first few bikers who crashed into the sand hill, but were not hurt, every system that Avir and Hera banked on crashed, and this time it hurt.

First thing to go out of sync was gear, they did not bring any, all the things that were required to drain the fuel tanks of those bikes to measure the efficiency, were lost. So the efficiency parameter was to be judged by the time taken and make of the bike, which were certainly biased, however there was nowhere to go.

Finally, some approximation based on tank capacity and length of stick was used to judge efficiency, and as soon as data collection was over, it had to be entered in the program, so that the software would announce the winner! The count down had began.

As soon as data was entered and the command for calibration given the damn PC crashed! To never recover again. Plus stage was set with all the dignitaries on dais eager to finish speeches to an applause and get back home, participants were eager to win and photographers ready to click pictures and submit them for tomorrows news. So, there was no time to restart the process.

Next thing, Hera could not believe what he was doing with his hands, pulling out names of bikers on chits to declare a winner, the old fashioned lucky draw! And the damn method licked out to few unworthy beings and Hera found Shiv bargaining for ransom amount and in front of him; it was decided that the unworthy will get second spot so he can pay off his fine levied by college for not attending lectures. Hera started to object for the said vehicle was very ill maintained and could not win on even a single parameter! That’s when a professor stepped in!

The Professor as he was lovingly known for being right, Hera hoped this would give a break through.

Hera: “Sir; this chap’s bike is a total loss making unit, it does not even average 30 KMs per litter and as is old and dusted, can not even run fast, plus is not well maintained and hence causes lot of pollution."

Shiv: “Sir, we do not have our gears and software has crashed, at best we can only do guess work.”

Chap: “And if you do not include me in winners, I will just tell the truth how you have cheated.”

The Professor: “Chap? How much do you want?”

Chap: “At least 2nd position to pay off my fine.”

The Professor: “Ok! Done!” to Shiv “There is always a honest one in a team, manage him.” Pointing to Hera.

Hera had heard that and knew, there is no point in following truth here, so he just gave up and soon was lost in dazzle of flashes from cameras, as he accepted the organizing committees key member’s memento from the president of group of colleges.

Hera was so lost in the flash that he was barely able to make out where the camera was and where he was supposed to stand or who was he holding hands with. In end Hera knew what he wanted from life. The thrill of managing something successfully, and getting the all important recognition for it. The fame!

This was followed by prize distribution and the president winning his patent for designing a oil sump Carbon & Lead emission absorber, which would turn out to be useless as it’s more hazardous to get rid off! Hence it never took off.