Speed is not my priority, safe driving is: Anis Sajan

Dubai-based businessman reminisces about the cars he has owned over the years in Dubai.

For many people getting a driving licence in the UAE is a defining moment in their life. And one's first car? Much like first love, the thrill of driving one's first car, whether it be a shiny new piece hot off the assembly line or a second-hand one bought off the net, is unmatched.
For Anis Sajan, Managing Director of Danube, the year is still etched in his memory. 1992, the year he came to Dubai was also the momentous year he became the proud owner of a second-hand Mazda station wagon that he prompty bought after getting his driving licence in his second attempt. "I still have intense memories of it since it was my first car and everything which is first is always very special," Anis tells us.
"Being a station wagon, I still remember, when we started our business in 1992 and in the early years of Danube, I used to load goods by myself from the warehouse and deliver to my customers in Deira, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in this car. Hence, my first car is very very special for me." We chat with the hot-shot businessman to learn more about his affiliation with the motoring world.

How many cars have you had over the years? Do you have a favourite among them?
Honestly, in my first 10 years, I have bought a car once every three years and all have been second-hand. The first car was a station wagon, second car which I drove was my brother's Toyota Cressida and the third was my first SUV which I bought in early 2000, a Toyota Prado. Then my first brand new car was another SUV which was an American car called Dodge Durango. Then in 2010, I got a gift from my brother which was an SUV Lexus 570 which till date remains my favourite among all the cars I've had so far. Three years ago, I bought my first luxury car, which was a Bentley Mulsanne and the latest addition to my cars has been the Bentley Bentayga. Out of all the cars I have used, if you ask me about my favourite car, I would say Lexus 570, just because of the features it has that none of the other cars have. Which is  its 360 degree front camera that switches on automatically when you are moving at a speed below 10 kms/hr. The rest of my cars have rear cameras; it is only the Lexus SUV, that has this additional feature which ensures my safety while parking and in slow moving traffic. It is a very smooth car while driving. I feel the Lexus SUV is the best among all the cars that I have owned.

As for your latest possession we hear it is a limited edition one. How do you feel on the road travelling in it?
I am glad that I own a Bentley Bentayga, as it is a signature model. What makes me feel happy while travelling in it is the comfort and smoothness while driving and notably the main feature of this car is its safety, including a wide range of airbags, state-of-the art technology and driving aids.
If you could go on a road trip with four others, whom would you chose to accompany you and where would you go? Which is the best place you have driven in?
If I had to choose four people to go on a road trip it would obviously be my family. My mother, wife and two children. They would be the first priority, because family means the world to me. I like going for long drives to any place which is calm and scenic, which gives the distinct feel of happiness. I have driven my car to Musandam, Al Ain, Hatta, Muscat, Mecca and Madinah.

What kind of songs do you like to listen to while driving? Do you have a favourite number you like to play?
Yes, definitely, I like to hear songs while driving. Especially, when I drive in the afternoon I like upbeat peppy numbers. Whereas in the late evening, I like to hear old songs of Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. Those are the evergreen songs and I really love that. One song which is very close to my heart is Ek Din Bik Jaayega from the movie Dharam Karam, sung by Kishore Kumar.

What's your dream vehicle?
Well, I have driven the Lexus SUV, the luxury Bentley Mulsanne and the SUV of Bentley Bentayga. I believe that I have already fulfilled all my dreams and I feel blessed that God has been very kind to me to have the best of the best.

Are you someone who enjoys being driven around, or do you like to get behind the wheels yourself?
I prefer that I drive my own car. Only in the morning when I come to the office, I take my driver along with me just because I like to meditate so that my mind becomes sharp and focused for work. That is the only time - the 15 minutes that my driver takes me to the office. Otherwise I prefer to drive on my own anywhere and everywhere I go.
We know you are a big Bollywood buff. Is there a movie you've seen, where you've been in awe of the cars?
Yes, being a big Bollywood buff there are many movies which I have seen. But one movie that I still remember is the Amitabh Bachchan movie Do Aur Do Paanch, where Amitabh drives down very fast, because the kids in the hostel had fallen sick and he has to get them medical aid which is probably the one scene that is still very close to my heart.

Have you ever taken part or been interested in a car rally?
Not really. I have neither taken part nor been interested in car rallies because I always believe in driving safe. Speed is not my priority and safe driving is always important for me.

What do you look for when buying a car - comfort, safety or performance?
The first thing I will look for while buying a car is obviously safety, because that's my priority and, then comes comfort. Honestly when I mean comfort, I'm not talking about too much luxury, but a smooth drive and when we talk about performance, what is important for me is that the car should not give me any trouble at least for the first couple of years.

What's the best thing about driving in Dubai? If you could, what would you change about the driving situation out here?
The best thing about driving in Dubai is evidently the best roads being constructed all over and if I would like to change anything here, it is obviously the traffic which is unfortunately out of control especially in the evenings, but I believe we are blessed to be staying in this wonderful country and everything is good about the roads. Traffic in fact everywhere in the world is the same, but if I had to change one thing, it would be the traffic.

If you get stuck on the road with a flat tyre, would you be able to change it on your own or would you require help?
So far I haven't got stuck with a flat tyre but if at all, God forbid it happens, I believe I can change the tyre because I have learnt this technique and I can do this quite quickly.
ambica@khaleejtimes.com