The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reporter's Diary

Autocrats again

Everyone knows commuting in Bangalore is no easy task. And, it you are forced to hire an autorickshaw, you could be in for a harrowing experience.

First you need to be lucky to find a driver who is willing to consider taking you to the place you want to go. Most drivers seem to decide the destination even before speaking to their potential passenger. But, if you find a kind driver, you simply jump in. Unless, of course, you are concerned whether it is safe to accept the ride.

The other day, a Bangalorean, after going shopping with his wife and daughter, wanted to send them home by autorickshaw as he had to go somewhere else. After a round of haggling, an auto driver agreed to give them a ride for Rs. 15. However, when they were about to start the journey, a friend of the driver joined him on the seat. The Bangalorean was alarmed and he stopped the vehicle as he was worried for the safety of his wife and child.

"You cannot do this," he told the driver. "I am afraid my wife and daughter are at risk. Are you the pilot and is he your co-pilot?" he asked the driver. He then turned to his wife and daughter and told them to alight from the vehicle. Before he could say more, the driver and his friend were on their way.

Humour and music

Composer and singer C. Ashwath's music programme, "Kannadave Satya," provided many light moments at the Palace Grounds on Saturday.

There were frequent announcements about children who had wandered off and were separated from their parents on the sprawling grounds. But after a few of these came an announcement about a woman who had complained to the organisers that her husband was nowhere to be seen. The plea to the husband over the public address system, "Rathnamma is waiting for you near the fire engine," created quite a ripple. We don't know whether Rathnamma was reunited with her husband.

And then there was this message conveyed by the worried parents of a youth: "K.R. Akshay should reach his home on his own." After a momentary pause, the announcer added, "immediately," much to the amusement of the audience. People wondered aloud why Akshay's parents were so worried if he could reach home on his own.

A man and his wife were engaged in argument for the better part of the programme. After every song, he would tell her, "Come, let's go." The wife would reply, "Wait a minute; let's hear the first line of the next song." But she would be in no mood to go even after the second and third lines have been rendered. The couple stayed for most of the evening.

Of course, it goes without saying that Mr. Ashwath was a great hit.

A good cop

It takes a lot out of traffic policemen to supervise traffic on busy roads. The heat and the air and noise pollution test the patience of most policemen who stand at the very centre when anarchy is let loose on the world.

But none of the problems seems to bother one constable who is often seen on duty at Thimmaiah Circle on Raj Bhavan Road. This dark and stout policeman appears to be endowed with rare strength as he goes about his work with a smile. Unlike many of his tribe, he manages traffic without getting flustered and takes stern action only where necessary.

Govind D. Belgaumkar

and Raghava M.

Rasheed Kappan, Govind D. Belgaumkar and Raghava M.

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Reporter's Diary