Finally there?s an Indian among the top 20 of the international motor-racing scene. So how does the Government reward him? By taking away what every person cherishes the most ? the opportunity to represent his or her country wearing its colours. Narain Karthikeyan has single-handedly borne the hopes of millions of Indians right from the time he started out in motorsport. Successive governments did precious little to help him. Now, he will have to change the colours on his helmet for the government has banned sportsmen from having the national colours on any part of their kit. Pray, who is more eligible than sportsmen who have earned the right to represent their country?

Nevertheless, this could be a blessing in disguise for Narain as the space made available on the helmet of India?s very first Formula One driver will be up for grabs and sponsors will want a share of it. So, even as Narain mulls over who to sell the space to and for how much, let?s take a peek at his appointment book to find out the red-letter days.

The first entry would be for tomorrow, March 6 which will find Narain in Melbourne, Australia, gearing up to make his F1 debut over 58 laps in Albert Park. The weather is usually bright and sunny at this time, making for ideal racing conditions.

Next on Narain?s calendar will be March 20 for the 56-lap Malaysian GP at the stunning Sepang circuit, designed by Herman Tilke of Aachen. This would be followed by a trip to Bahrain and 57 laps of the Manama circuit on April 3. The wide track that runs into the desert could get a bit sandy courtesy strong desert winds, causing drivers to be a bit more cautious. Narain has driven GT cars here and so he may feel like he knows the circuit well enough.

Then, it?s off to Europe and Italy (the principality of San Remo actually ? the Italians did a bit of fudging so they could get two GP races) next. Narain will be there on April 24, manoeuvring through 62 laps at the wheel of his Jordan on a track that was made fangless after the deaths of Roland Ratzenburger and Ayrton Senna in 1994. Two weeks on and he will be doing 66 laps at Barcelona in Spain?s Catalunya region. The track is one that Narain is familiar with, having raced Formula Nissans here.

Also on the cards is the Monaco GP, unique as the racing is over the city?s streets. Narain will be here on May 22, battling it out over 78 laps. A week later and it?s Germany?s famous Nurburgring track that?ll be under the spotlight. It?s not the old 14-mile circuit where Niki Lauda came to grief but 60 laps of a modern one that throws up an occasional surprise. India hopes Narain will be that surprise for 2005.

Narain will be on a Trans-Atlantic flight shortly thereafter to Canada and Montreal. The racing is on an island in the middle of the St Lawrence Seaway and the track is named after Gilles Villeneuve. If it rains on June 12, and Narain will certainly be hoping for it, the action over 70 laps could be terribly exciting. If not, there?s always the French-Canadian food to look forward to!

After Canada comes the US GP. Indianapolis is more attuned to IndyCars but on June 19, the F1 cars will be taking on the longest straight in the F1 calendar. Which could mean a lot of engines blowing up during the course of 73 laps.

After North America, it?s back to Europe. On July 3, Narain will be in Nevers in the French countryside, racing 70 laps at Magny-Cours. This too has a double-straight of sorts and the racing is especially exciting at one corner that offers the only chance for overtaking in the race.

After a week, Narain will be at the 60-lap British GP at Silverstone. Not only is Britain the home of motor racing but Silverstone is also Jordan?s home track. Then it?s over to Germany again, for the 67-lap German GP on July 24 and Hockenheim. The new layout has made for exciting racing but drivers miss the high-speed blasts through German forests.

The last day in the month of July is marked out for Hungary and the Hungaroring. But it?s another circuit where the racing is boring. Narain will do well to keep cool during the 70-lap race.

On August 21, Narain won?t be the only new addition to F1 in 2005. Turkey has been included in the racing calendar for the first time and as it will be unfamiliar to all the drivers, chances are that the men will be separated from the boys at the end of the 58-lap race.

Narain?s book also has September 4 and 11 circled. Monza, Italy is a track he knows, having tested a Jordan in the rain alongside Jean Alesi. High speeds and historic significance are what the 53-lap Monza track is all about. Then it?s 44 laps of Spa in Belgium. This is another high-speed track with the famous eau rouge section that tests every car and driver.

Formula One?s experienced drivers may not be looking forward to September 25 but Narain sure is. Every race is a chance for him to show off his skill at the steering wheel. Interlagos in Brazil is known to be a bumpy track and it runs over 71 laps in an anti-clockwise direction but has seen a few exciting races in the past.

The penultimate race of the season will be on October 9 at Suzuka, Japan and this is one track Narain is familiar with, having raced Formula Nippons here. Rounding off the calendar is the Shanghai GP in China on October 16, which will see the season coming to a close after 56 laps.

The last entry in Narain?s book would probably be just three words ? home to rest ? which I?m sure will be well-deserved for India?s first ever F1 racing star.

My favourite long drive

Sutapa Talukdar
danseuse

One of my all-time favourite long drives is the route from Calcutta to Shantiniketan. I have a fondness for the place that?s hard to explain. I first went there when I was about five and since then, I keep returning, my most recent trip there being just one month ago. It?s not just that the place offers a refreshing break from city life, but also the long and scenic drive down there is simply wonderful.

Driving down to Shantiniketan throws up glimpses of rural Bengal at its best. The mud houses with the familiar cluster of clay pots outside, the silvery waters of the river Ajoy, which one has to cross ? all these make for a treat for the senses. What makes the drive even better is the fact that the condition of the roads has improved by leaps and bounds.