Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Proud to be Indian-Hyderabad Auto story!

I always wonder "what makes me a proud Indian? Am I really proud to be an Indian or just the fear of crazy mobs make me say that!". I fear there are only 10% of people in India who live their lives honestly without harming others and without expecting anything from others. I am not sure if I am one among them, but I am certain that I am not in the other 90%. Take for example my journey from Kakinada to Hyderabad on 18 Oct. One of my cousin wanted reservation in the compartment, the ticket collector took an additional 50Rs to confirm his ticket despite the berth being vacant and the TC is paid to do this job by the government. No voice raised and everyone including me tacitly shifted our vision from him, thinking that, there can be nothing better than this deal! Huh!
My wife consumed some eatable in the station and threw the wrappers on to the track. I just observed and after some time I have shown her a board which read "Keep the station clean". I asked her to whom it is applicable! She said that it is for those who litter everywhere, and spit everywhere. I have shown her the wrappers on the track and asked her, if it is applicable to us also. She realized corrected herself the next time. Is each one of us realizing these small mistakes in our lives which we feel are not responsible.
I, my wife and baby got down at the Secunderabad Railway station, which is acclaimed to be the "Dream destination", to which the most respected Metro rail project is to happen. The twin cities which are more than 400 years old in their glory. The city which has got Metropolitan status in the recent past. The city of High-technology; in four words, "The most happening place".
To everybody's dismay, the railway station's auto stand has no autos for passengers to take the trip to their homes. We waited for half an hour and nothing turned up... Some passengers furiously discussed with the Traffic Police officer, but in vain... I ran around to catch an auto outside the check post , but they were demanding double rates to my place. None is ready to take us by metered cost. One was wearing a goddess Durga's "tika", the other was with a big Jesus cross in his neck; another was with a traditional white cap and a small beard. They were not men of words nor are they men in the 10% I talked above... They are those 90% who are shaping this society to void. How shamelessly we acclaim "Mera Bharat Mahan". Would their gods ever tell them, to live a honest life? what best do they pray in their temples, churches and masjids?
I finally had to yield to their demands and take one to get my job done. No go for me! neither could I take a HMTC bus with my family as I had some luggage too which I felt would make others feel inconvenient. Unfortunately, the approach road which leads to my house was dug mercilessly by the municipality and this was yet another reason for the Autowala to demand more money to take an alternate route! Damn!
Brothers and Sisters... This is not the India Gandhi dreamt about.
Teach our children Morals more than Science and Maths. If we don't do that, we will certainly head towards an age of barbarians and not technocrats!