BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A driver in India who has found a unique way of driving that has turned him into somewhat of a mini local celebrity.
Harpeet Devi has turned his Fiat Padmini into a head-turning spectacle on the streets. He drives everywhere backwards.
"I wanted to do something different, something unique. That’s why I drive in reverse," he said.
Devi’s driving skills have become famous in his home town of Bhatinda, in the Indian state of Punjab. The government has even issued him a permit to drive in reverse anywhere in the state. But there was little romance involved in his first encounter with reversing.
"One day, my car had a problem with the gears, and only the one for reverse worked. I was out of town. I had no money. So I tried driving the car backwards and got all the way home," he said.
That was eleven years ago. Devi’s had since painted "Back Gear Champion" on the side of his car, and redesigned the gear box to have four reverse gears and only one forward. He can now reach a speed of 80 kilometers per hour, and says he feels safer driving backwards.
Devi has even tried to break the world record for reverse driving that’s currently held by a British man. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the resources to produce the non-stop video footage of his attempt, which is required by the Guinness Book authorities.
This unique way of driving has given Devi some "reverse" effects as well. Devi now suffers severe neck and back problems. But he insists it’s all worthwhile, and believes that achieving anything is never easy.
(Source: CNTV.com)
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