Even the mighty tumble !! ~ skeletons of JAWA

 

Even the mighty tumble !!  How fond are you of vehicles ! especially two-wheelers.  Cars may be status symbols but a few decades ago, owning a two-wheeler was macho !! 

A few decades ago, there were not so many automobiles on road – two wheelers were few.  There were scooters like Vijay, Bajaj, Vespa and Lambretta. Motor-bikes were considered macho… the brands seen on road were – Rajdoot 175 cc; Jawa [later Yezdi] 250cc with twin silencers; and the most princely Enfield Bullet 350 cc…  A Bullet motorcycle on road was the cynosure of all eyes ~ many would put a rubber mat improperly cut near its silencer that would produce thudding sound as the vehicle went majestically past.. not very fast and it was stated  by people that Bullet can actually cruise at walking speed too….  ~ it was ‘Royal Enfield Bullet’ to be precise – exhibiting its British connection and Enfield Motors was of Madras origin…. a la CSK of yore.  It was the bike used by Police  for patrolling too…… 

In fact in early 1970s there were no mopeds.  Jawa with silencers on both sides was a hit – it was of Chechoslovakian origin, named after its founder, Frantisek Janecek, by concatenating the first letters of Janeček and Wanderer.  In India,  Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd based in Mysore sold licensed Jawa motorcycles beginning in 1960 under the brand name Jawa and from 1973 as Yezdi.  Then 100cc bikes clamoured in and our first love was Ind-Suzuki 100cc, sleek and elegant in metallic colours  - in a Country where people think of ‘fuel economy’ – ‘kithna dethe’ – there is no place of powerful cousins !!

 

This pic may sound melancholic to some who owned such vehicles !!   "Even the mighty tumble" is a common idiom that means that even the most powerful, successful, or impressive individuals or entities can experience failure, decline, or downfall. It highlights the idea that no one is immune to setbacks or defeat.   Jim Collins' book "How the Mighty Fall" discusses the stages of decline that even successful companies can experience. The book details how companies can move from success to decline due to factors like hubris, undisciplined pursuit of more, denial of risk, and grasping for salvation.

In mid 1970s and 1980s – West Indies Cricket team was most feared – but "Even the Mighty Crumble"  and team not declined, deteriorated but shattered.  The phrase advises caution to all those  at the top to remain vigilant and humble to avoid a fall.

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
5.7.2025