A Jaipur-based businessman with a penchant for exclusive vehicle registration numbers has set a new record in Rajasthan by acquiring the state's most expensive VIP plate for Rs 31 lakh. Rahul Taneja, owner of the event management firm Live Creations, purchased the number RJ 60 CM 0001 through a competitive e-auction conducted by the Jaipur RTO-1 office. The plate was secured for his son's new Audi RS Q8, a luxury SUV valued at around Rs 3 crore, marking a lavish 18th birthday gift for his son Rehan. Transport department officials confirmed the bid as the highest ever in the state, surpassing previous records and highlighting the growing demand for premium numbers among affluent car owners.
Taneja's fascination with "0001" plates stems from a deep-seated belief in numerology, where the number one symbolises leadership and success—a philosophy that has guided his collection of luxury vehicles. This latest acquisition follows a pattern: in 2011, he paid Rs 10.31 lakh for RJ 14 CP 0001 on his first BMW 7 Series; in 2018, he outbid competitors with Rs 16 lakh for RJ 45 CG 0001 on a Jaguar XJL. Even earlier, he once bought a second-hand Skoda Laura solely for its RJ 20 CB 0001 plate. These purchases, often made months post-vehicle delivery, underscore his commitment to personalisation, with all his cars featuring the elite "0001" ending, categorised as "Super Elite" by Rajasthan's transport rules.
The e-auction system, introduced by the Rajasthan Transport Department to promote transparency and generate revenue, allows enthusiasts to bid on desirable numbers like repeating digits or lucky sequences online via transport.rajasthan.gov.in. VIP plates fall into categories such as Elite (e.g., 1111 or 7777), starting at Rs 50,000, and Super Elite, up to Rs 5 lakh base fees, though competitive bidding can drive prices far higher. Taneja's win not only boosts state coffers—proceeds fund road safety initiatives—but also reflects a broader cultural trend in India, where fancy numbers are seen as status symbols, sometimes fetching crores in other states like Delhi or Maharashtra.
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Taneja's rise from humble beginnings adds an inspirational layer to his story, embodying the classic rags-to-riches narrative. Born in 1980 in Katra village, Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, he grew up in poverty; his father mended bicycle punctures, while his mother toiled in fields. At 11, Taneja moved to Jaipur and worked as a dhaba waiter in Adarsh Nagar for meagre wages, later driving an auto-rickshaw to survive. By 18, he ventured into modelling, winning titles like Mr Jaipur and Mr Rajasthan, which opened doors to selling imported goods. In 2000, at age 20, he founded Live Creations, specialising in high-profile weddings and events, transforming his life into one of opulence. Today, from the front seat of an auto to the back of an Rs 3 crore Audi, Taneja's journey illustrates resilience, ambition, and the power of seizing opportunities in India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
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