63-year-old, Thomas Chacko Drives Tata Nano 26,500 kms nationwide

Thomas Chacko, a Kochi-based, 63-year old motoring enthusiast, who started his national expedition, in a Tata Nano, from Mumbai on May 3, 2012, successfully completed his 78-day long dream project on July 21, 2012. During the expedition, Mr. Chacko covered 26,500 kms, called on all of India’s state capitals and its union territories and in the process visited over 100 towns and cities in India.

During this expedition, Mr. Chacko drove the Nano to India’s farthest reaches - Tawang in the East, Kanyakumari in the South, Dwarka in the West, Kargil in the North and in Ladhak ascended both Khardung La, which at 18380 ft, is the highest motorable road in the world and Tanglang La, the second highest motorable road in the world.

He also went to Nagpur, the geographical center of India and to the mountainous country of Bhutan. On concluding his journey, Thomas Chacko said, “I chose the Tata Nano for this journey because it is the car that has put India on the world motoring map.

It also has very good ground clearance and climbs well.  The journey was not a joyride but an expedition to explore the country and know the people. The 78-day all India drive has tested the Nano across the some of the most rugged terrains of the country and through all kinds of weather. The car emerged successful in this test of endurance.

“The Nano is a dream project. It is every person’s aspiration to own a car and the Nano fulfills this dream. In a way, this small wonder has fulfilled my dream to explore India.

“This journey has indeed been an achievement and a book is very much on the cards. It would perhaps be named Mano et Nano: India to its farthest reaches”, he added.

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