Riding around in Delhi on a rickety
scooter is one of my few hobbies. It gives me a feel of earthiness, a feeling
that I am a nobody amidst the costly cars that fly by me. It makes me feel humble, arrogant as I
am. It helps me to check my dreams. It roots me in reality, the harsh reality
that I like to confront honestly.
A
traffic policeman stopped me today. I
took off my helmet with a smile that comes rather artificially to me these days.
“I’ve
broken the law, you can punish me,” I said.
I think the smile had not vanished from my cheeks.
I
had jumped a red light. I had not
intended it. My scooter got stuck on the
gravel and the lights turned red before I could cross the range. This was the first time that I was ever
caught in my 12 years of hobbying in Delhi by the omnipresent traffic police of
Delhi.
“License?”
asked the policeman.
I
handed him my licence.
“...
school ...,” he read it aloud for the benefit of his senior officer who was
standing nearby. “What do you do in ...
school?”
“Teacher,”
I said as I pulled out a hundred rupee
note from my wallet which was the penalty for jumping the traffic
signal.
“Teacher?” he asked as if he had expected the answer “peon”
or “sweeper” or ...
“Will
you please accept the fine here instead of sending me to the court?” I asked.
“I have no time to go to the court to pay the fine.” I requested.
“Half
here and half in the court,” said the officer who had not spoken so far. “Isn’t today the teacher’s day?” he asked.
“Yes,”
I said. I was a little surprised that
the Delhi police was aware of something called teacher’s day.
“How
can I challan a teacher on the
teacher’s day?” He asked.
I
didn’t know what to answer. The hundred
rupee note was still in my hand and the
policeman wasn’t even looking at it.
“Go!”
said the officer.
“An
interesting teacher’s day gift,” I thought as I kicked on the engine of my old
pal.
PS. This is
not fiction at all. Everything is as it
happened really. I’m back to reality. No more short stories. They've been censored. Except historical fiction.
Wow! This is very interesting, and heartening. Also, happy teacher's day sir..
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it was a pleasant surprise for me. Maybe I should change my prejudice about the Delhi police :)
DeleteHappy Teacher's Day to you sir..:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karan.
DeleteVery interesting gift Tomichan Sir :) Really nice that a traffic police officer knows about teachers day, may be his kid(s) in school :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, probably his kid(s) had to contribute something for the day :)
Deletehe was kind...
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I was touched by the way he spoke to and dealt with me. He was a thorough gentleman who seemed to have been thoroughly confused by my Hindi (overloaded with English words). He even made a slight bow to me as I thanked him.
DeleteI guess it was your first instance that you about to get fined for breaking the law .. and you might be the lucky first person who was let off by a traffic police in Delhi ! this should be news on the newspapers ... lolz !
ReplyDeleteIt could be newsworthy, you know. I had quite a different image of Delhi Police until this happened to me. Then, again, this could be just an exceptional episode.
DeleteNow I guess good deed for one day..And I am happy that they know the importance of Teachers and Teachers Day..
ReplyDeleteThere may be some policemen who respect teachers, who knows?
DeleteGood.. humanity still alive in Police persons..
ReplyDeleteThe experience was an eye-opener for me, Saurabh.
DeleteGood that Delhi COP recognized you. Happy teachers day. Keep unlearning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the greetings.
DeleteInteresting anecdote.Both my parents being teachers I understand the respect they get. Still some people reach out to me on FB asking me, 'are you gopinathan sir's son?'
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing
Perhaps, teachers get more respect outside their schools than inside :)
DeleteThis is so wonderful! Great respect to a Teacher!
ReplyDeleteWish the Respect would be on all days...not specifically just for- Teacher's Day!
As that's unlikely, either be careful to not flout traffic-rules or save the Rs 100! :)
This was my first experience of the sort, Anita. I'm a very cautious and law-abiding rider. So the police don't bother about me at all.
DeleteHappy Teachers day! Only goes to show how deeply gurus are still respected...there might still be hope left somewhere in our society.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Aditi, if mine was a unique or rare experience. Do you think most policemen would have done the same thing? I don't know since I have no personal experience in the matter. But I don't hear people speak highly of the police.
DeleteVery nice Read, a G+ for ur post. . :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteLovely post! It really does feel good :) Dinno policemen in India were good too! :P Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIt was an experience with a difference for me too, Bushra.
DeleteAn Interesting Teacher's Day gift.. !! Nicely written :)
ReplyDeleteBut remember you've broken the rule :D
If I had not broken the law I wouldn't have had this experience :)
DeleteSir first thing that you wrote it very well as you always do I mean it seems like it was just happening in front of me
ReplyDeleteSecond congrats for your gift otherwise they don't leave anyone
And sir how's mam and sawan
Do you think my smile is becoming magical or something? :)
DeleteWe are fine, Abhishek. Doing fabulously well!
Sir first thing that you wrote it very well as you always do I mean it seems like it was just happening in front of me
ReplyDeleteSecond congrats for your gift otherwise they don't leave anyone
And sir how's mam and sawan
Wonderful experience for a teacher on teacher's day :) Indeed Happy Teacher's Day Sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anil. Even a cop can make your day memorable.
DeleteWhat a wonderful thing to happen! need to share with friends..
ReplyDeletecame from indiblogger and glad i did!
Glad you came here, Vinaya. Wish you many returns! :)
DeleteMore than the teacher's day .. it is the teacher's intellect which worked :) the promptness of taking out the fine .. the ever selling marketing tool a smile .. and the white collar profession :) .. a pleasant persona(as much I have understood about you through your DP and your awesome posts :) ) and the catalyst Teacher's Day ..
ReplyDeleteBelated but from the heart...Happy Teacher's Day Respected Sir :)
Jack, I think you are a dangerous person. You understand too much.
DeleteAnd thanks from my heart for the wishes.
First and foremost wish you a happy teachers day sir. This profession has a lot of respect in it and I am more than pleased to see hard core corrupt people like our Indian cops not accept money and let you go. Maybe there is actually a ray of hope for our country.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit surprised by the no. of comments speaking about the cops' ability or non-ability, corruption/non-corruption... For me every experience is a first experience. And I loved it.
Deleteha! these cops I tell you always upto something strange. Well as long as you got the benefit! And why have the stories been censored? Something happened?
ReplyDeleteRicha
Conditions applied, Richa. I can tell you about it later some time.
DeleteThat must have been a surprise ! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Teachers Day (Belated)
Hmmm...For a change, positive experience on the hands of Delhi police.
ReplyDeletePS: Why no fiction? I love reading your fiction. :)
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ReplyDeleteHappy Ganesh Chaturthi