Callenging Conventions. Hyundai Great India Drive 2025

The setting for the eighth edition of Hyundai's Great India Drive baffled us with its edge and made us sure of an experience that would be unique and soul-cleansing.

Set at the westernmost edge of the country, the Rann of Kutch is a vast salt desert that is spread over nearly 25,000 sq. km. It's a unique geological phenomenon that emerged from tectonic shifts that pushed the sea further out, leaving a dry salt bed for most of the year and a fairly shallow marshland for the rest of it.

Starting from Dasada, the little Rann of Kutch is an hour away. This is the smaller, more manageable part of the Rann, though it's still a vast 5,100 sq.km area. The vast brown landscape that goes as far as the horizon is not all desolate or barren; we found busy trails filled with wildlife. We got to spot flocks of flamingoes and harriers around the shallow salt lakes that are dispersed across the landscape, with a bit more luck one can also spot herds of wild asses and Chinkaras.

The Creta diesel we drove at the Rann felt right at home and may have been the best suited for this trip. The steady diesel torque and smooth torque convertor made for just the right kind of seamless performance that works there. The softer suspension tune and the cushier 17-inch wheels made for a confident mix when we pushed the Creta a bit hard over the cracked earth. There was just enough give but still enough stability to not let the Creta get lairy on this surface.

Our Rann leg of the Great India Drive concluded with one of the most mesmerising and calming sunsets at Dholavida which also got us to the 30km stretch of the Khavda â€" Dholavira road, also known as the road to heaven. With calm comes solitude and with that, one gets the rare opportunity to reflect upon life and this is where we thought that this journey hadn't ended for us. There was a flickering thirst for art in us which got us to the second leg of the Great India Drive.

For the second leg, we looked in the opposite direction. We went on a more artistic journey through Kolkata, where we embraced the timeless image of the city of joy and met someone who is not only a role model but also a force to reckon with. The chariot of choice? The Hyundai Alcazar.

The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine on the Alcazar performed well. The sheer size and heft of the car are well balanced, with the turbo amping out 253 NM of torque. The DCT transmission performs seamlessly, executing smooth gear shifts, and the 18-inch wheels and 190 mm ground clearance make sure you bust those potholes on the road with ease. With its plush dual-tone treatment and roomy ambience, the Alcazar cabin creates a comfortable cocoon while driving in bustling city traffic. The heat of Kolkata hadn't reached its torrid heights but was enough to make you sweat. Thanks to the powerful air conditioning and air purification, the in-cabin comfort was top-notch.

Kolkata brings forth an artistic aesthetic, unlike any city in the country. Being one of this country's most iconic cultural hubs, this city has attracted art lovers and practitioners from across the globe creating an eclectic fusion of people. Kolkata's love for art and culture never ceases and probably that is the reason we got to meet this special person. Korok Biswas is a boy wonder who has achieved so much in such a short time that he has become a role model for all. His story? It is that of sheer determination, will and talent.

Korok Biswas is a dancer who is trained in four dance forms and has earned four major national awards, including the Pradhan Mantri Bal Shakti Award in 2020. That's not all, Korok also earned three international awards along with a record in the India Book of Records as the youngest achiever with a disability. Korok, whose name means 'lotus bud,' never let his challenges come in between his dreams and this powered him to be an advocate and motivational speaker for disabilities such as his.

KOROK BISWAS

Hyundai's constant efforts towards uplifting arts and culture got them to felicitate Korok last year with Hyundai's Art for Hope CSR initiative. Hyundai with their consistent efforts towards keeping the spirit of the artist alive through their art, is commendable. Their Art for Hope CSR initiative offers recognition to artists across India who find a great platform to showcase their talents and get recognition. Also, a big thank you to Hyundai for letting us explore Kolkata through a different lens, which was hands down amazing.