People keep talking about Recession as if it is a dirty word! But looking at the number of vehicles that ply on the streets of Mumbai, one would be forgiven if one thinks that the word is not applicable here!

I have been seeing a lot of these over the past couple of months & always wonder, whether does it matter to the Traffic Police or RTO or even more importantly the fine of Rs. 100/- probably is too little to make a difference to anybody; BUT then WTF do ordinary citizens keep getting caught on such matters?

VF (Veri Fast) Vijay Fernandes & Neil decided to meet up impromptu some weeks ago, to open a nice bottle of Havana Club that Judith, Neil’s wife had got for us.

Location was Neil’s house for obvious reasons. An extremely smooth rum, would not mind having it again:)

I had first visited Bandra Terminus the first time 15 years ago.

The last couple of years there was never a need to go there. Today went to drop my parents on their way to gujarat.

Taking the juhu lane road, which is being done up, then on to flyover, highway, trying to get on the road from bandra, no right turn….so going ahead, finally managing to just catch the train. The return was also bad.

The terminus itself is a complete chaos, with just 2 traffic constables whistling away. Tempos, coolies, rickshaw & taxi drivers rule the roost. A total of 4 hours to & fro!!!

The wife had gone to Tirupati and was returning by chennai - bombay express, so went to Dadar to pick her up. Reached pretty early, having been reading & hearing about how security has been beefed up; checking has been happening; it will take time to reach the station etc.Visiting Dadar TT after nearly 10 years, found it a bit clean……that is all……

The same nexus of coolies; taxi drivers; traffic constables turning a blind eye, government car flouting rules & what have you!!!

The home gaurds, security were lazing around, no directions to go through the metal detectors, absolutely nothing……Hoping to share this with Photographs……remember…..A photograph is a thousand words…..merrily clicked them on my phone; except the constable, nobody objected, so here goes the saga…..

A week back, after an entertaining citizens meeting at Atithi (nay, we were asked to vacate the restaurant) Bawa international, left to come home along with couple of friends.

Coming out from the one way of domestic airport, waited to cross over the highway. No cars passing on the highway towards bandra, a cop gesticulating all over the country side from beneath the half complete flyover, cars honking from behind, no visible signal and I moved ahead, crossing the highway & came to a stand still below the flyover.

Up rushed the gesticulating constable Vijay Gopal Kurade badge nos 960452. And the questions started…….

Did you not see the signal? No sir, it is not visible on the other side
You have come ahead already? Yes sir, but you were waving to come
I was not waving for you. Ok but how am I supposed to know
You are educated, how can you make such mistakes. Yes sir, but I did not take the constable’s exam
Licence. Yes
Gujarat licence Yes
Maharashtra Car Yes
And multiple other questions……before the punch line……Pavti Phadu Kai!

Having earlier warned my friend not to speak (since he is a maharashtrian); I had exhausted my vocabulary, so said ‘Jo rule hai woh karo saab’

This was followed by a description of where I would have to go, time taken etc. etc. But we were insistent on the Pavti

Finally, he gave up, preparing the same, admonishing us that his duty was getting over soon, so we better hurry back.

Off we went, to the airport where a trailer was occupied by traffic as a chowky.

Went in, empty, with AC working full blast. 10 minutes later, some constables who were outside loitered in to find out what we were upto. My friend who was smoking outside, gave them the version (and no they did not ask him to stop smoking in a public place). They came in, verified and asked me again whether I wanted to wait or what? Since I was insistent & told them to call the Sub Inspector, one of them dragged his mobile phone & called up! Why could they not use the walkie talkie which were lying around, no idea….

Sub Inspector walked in 5 minutes later….And there the story changed…..India there is hope for you…….

Polite, courteous, introduced himself, apologies for delay, explained that being a friday….Don’t Drink & Drive was being organized (it is a different matter & story that I shall relate sometime) and hence. Made the challan, accepted the fine (a measly 100/-) bade us good bye….with the wish that there should be more responsible citizens like us.

Reaching the junction again, Kurade handed over the licence…..his smile clearly saying……Win some Lose some….

In the last 15 years in Mumbai, this is the second time, I have had to pay the challan & have not paid without it! But it left me with a sense of self satisfaction that in my own small way….i did not try & corrupt the system.