At 34, Dinesh Kumar Dhakar has already spent nearly a third of his life on India’s highways. For the past eight years, he has been a trusted truck driver with Jet Trade Logistics, carrying oversized and complex cargo across the country with patience, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility. His journey is not dramatic or loud; it is defined by consistency, long distances, and a deep respect for the road.
Dinesh began his working life as a helper and a mechanic, learning vehicles from the ground up. Those early years shaped the way he drives today. Before every trip, he personally checks the steering, brakes, clutch, tyres, air pressure, balance, and lights. It is a routine born from experience, not instruction. “If the vehicle is right, half the journey is safe,” he believes. That mechanical understanding gives him confidence, especially when hauling long trailers and over-dimensional cargo that demand precision and calm decision-making.
He currently drives a BharatBenz heavy-duty truck, a vehicle he speaks of with quiet pride. Designed to carry loads of up to 40 tonnes, the BharatBenz has become his reliable partner on routes that stretch from Indore to Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and beyond. Dinesh appreciates the truck’s stable performance, good mileage, and a cabin that reduces fatigue on long hauls. While it is not a sleeper cabin, the driving position, visibility, and overall comfort help him stay alert for long hours. For a driver who clocks close to 400 kilometres a day, these details matter. Comfort, for him, is not luxury; it is safety.
Among all routes, the Indore – Chennai stretch remains his favourite. The wide, straight roads, minimal traffic, and fewer interruptions allow him to maintain steady speeds while following traffic rules strictly. Speed limits, road signs, diversions, and construction warnings are things he watches closely. Dinesh believes discipline on the road protects not just cargo, but lives. “When I am on the road, I feel this is my vehicle and this is my responsibility. The cargo has to reach safely, no matter what,” he says firmly. Night driving is limited, usually stopping by 10 or 11 pm, unless an emergency demands otherwise.
Away from the highway, Dinesh is a family man. His home is in Dilwara, Rajasthan, where his wife manages the household and his two children study in Class 8 and Class 4. Time at home is precious and limited. Jet Trade Logistics follows a structured system, allowing drivers a few days of rest every couple of months, or overnight stops when routes pass close to home. It is not easy, but it is manageable. Dinesh accepts the challenges with maturity, knowing the stability his work provides his family.
What stands out most is his sense of social responsibility. Over the years, he has seen accidents, breakdowns, and difficult situations on the road. Once, while transporting an oversized airport structure during a religious procession, villagers came together to help him navigate safely through narrow roads at night. That experience reinforced his belief that respect and patience are returned in unexpected ways. He also makes it a point to help others when he can, understanding the hardships drivers face.
When asked about young people entering the profession, Dinesh is honest. He advises them to think carefully, stay away from bad habits, respect the law, and understand the responsibility that comes with driving a heavy vehicle. For him, driving is not just a job. It is a duty.
