Juggernauts and crosses
Page 32
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OUR INDUSTRY's image in the public eye grows daily more important, and it therefore becomes essential that the impression given is a good one. Ever aghast at the term "Juggernaut," so loosely and inaccurately levelled at us, I have always striven to put over the proper terminology appropriate to individual types of vehicles, and indeed, to our industry as a whole.
My Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary describes the dreaded "juggernaut" thus: "an incarnation of Vishnu, beneath whose car devotees were supposed by Europeans to immolate themselves; hence the 'car of Juggernaut' stands metaphorically for any relentless destroying force or object of devotion and sacrifice".
Could anything be further from the truth? Yet a small incident a few days ago caused me to wonder if there may yet be hope that things may soon be changing in our favour. Forced to take life somewhat more easily than is normal, following a brief spell in hospital, I switched on the tv during an afternoon session, and without being aware of the programme I had selected, I soon became aware that it was for younger members of the family.
I stayed with it, however, because it dealt with all forms of transport, and a brief moment after I had switched on the subject was road haulage. Shown negotiating part of the spaghetti junction mingling with the M1 was an articulated TIR tilt. It was on the screen for quite some time, and photographic shots both from the ground and from the air really did credit to a fine piece of manoeuvring by the driver.
The commentator briefly described the event, but not for her "juggernaut". Youngsters were informed that it was a big lorry. It made my day, and gave me hope for the future. It is well known that to "get 'em young is to have 'em for life." While gratified, we must not allow ourselves to become lax. NIGEL BREEZE Southend on Sea