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A friend who arrived in the Capital recently by train had a harrowing experience at the railway station. The moment she came out of the station, a swarm of taxi drivers descended on her and offered to drop her at her destination in Delhi Cantonment. One driver even took hold of her luggage and began to walk in the direction of his taxi. The new arrival followed him uncertainly. The driver heaved her luggage into the car boot, slammed it shut and said: “I will take Rs.150”.

The passenger refused outright and said she would take a pre-paid taxi. “But the government pre-paid rate is more than what I am charging you,” argued the driver.

After a bit of haggling, the man agreed to take Rs.130. The passenger was about to get into the taxi when on a hunch she decided to find out the pre-paid rates.

She asked the taxi driver to wait and went to the nearby pre-paid booth. While she was waiting in the queue, she was once again approached by taxi drivers. When they heard that she wanted to go to Cantonment, they quoted amounts ranging from Rs.150 to 250. They also told her that she was wasting her time in the queue as the pre-paid rates were higher.

Finally when she got to the front of the queue, the man managing the booth asked her where she wanted to go and how many pieces of luggage she had. When she answered him, he asked for Rs.100.

She paid him and was given a slip on which a number was written. She marched to the taxi where her luggage was, unloaded it and hunted for the taxi she was assigned. Once more a host of drivers surrounded her, argued among themselves and said, “This passenger is mine,”.

“No mine!” shouted another.

Finally a man walked up to her, took the slip, read the number and announced, “This number is a reference to my taxi.”

The new arrival learnt a crucial lesson that day: always take a pre-paid taxi from the railway station.

Urvashi Sarkar

Royal adventure

For the sixth year running, the fortnight-long annual Himalayan Odyssey for Khardung-La in Ladakh was flagged off from the Capital over the weekend.

Described as a test of endurance on the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, the annual motorcycle expedition saw 62 enthusiastic Royal Enfield Bullet bikers embarking on the adventure.

Bikers from Delhi, Varanasi, Chennai, Mumbai, Darjeeling and other cities are taking part in the expedition.

Before undertaking the adventurous ride, a Buddhist ceremony of blessing to dispel obstacles on the bikers’ path was performed.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Major-General R. K. Sanan said Khardung-La is not just the highest motorable road but also a metaphor for altitude.

The biker selection drill ensured that those selected for the odyssey understood the perils of rough weather and risky terrain. The participants registered themselves online and then had to undergo a medical examination to ensure that they are fit for the fortnight-long journey.

The organisers are providing round-the-clock medical help as well as specialised quick-repair mechanics to all the participants.

Madhur Tankha

Beggar’s choice

A friend who visited the Nizamuddin dargah for the first time recently has an interesting story to tell.

Having long heard about the place, she was looking forward to soaking in the rich sights and smells characteristic of this much loved Delhi landmark. As soon as she arrived there, she noticed a steady stream of beggars and street urchins lining the way from the main road to the dargah with their hands held out for alms. Throwing a quick glance in their direction, she walked towards the dargah.

After a visit inside as she emerged to leave, she decided to catch a quick breather sitting down at a small shop nearby before bracing herself for the long walk back to the main road. Observing the crowds jostling about on a hot and busy evening, she suddenly noticed a familiar face next to her and tried to place her by jogging her memory. Dressed in a modest salwar-kurta, the young woman joked around with the shopkeeper and seemed to share an easy camaraderie with him. Soon she took to enquiring about all possible flavours of cold drinks available with him and, disappointed at not finding her preferred mango flavour, settled for a cola before proceeding to finish it all in a single gulp. Satisfied, the woman put the bottle down and began taking out money to pay the shopkeeper by carefully unzipping a hidden pocket in her salwar. Instantly the friend recognised her as one of the beggars lining the street to the dargah whom she had noticed while walking inside.

Manisha Jha

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