This is my latest and my most favourite encounter with the bengaluru police mamu two weeks back...
I had left home early at 2.30am in the morning (okay, you can call it midnight) on my bike. The plan was to assemble at office and leave for skandagiri trek from there and reach hilltop before the sunrise. (I'll blog about the skandagiri trek separately) All the signals were either blinking yellow or switched off at those wee hours of day (or night whatever you call it). For some reason I followed the one ways even though a thought had crossed my mind to take short cuts (against one ways) Near minerva circle a couple of mamus stopped me. (Thank god I didn't violate any traffic rules... or atleast thats what I had thought until the cop started talking to me ...) and the converstaion that followed is as follows... I will refer them as mamu1 and mamu2.
Mamu1 approached me and asked me to remove my helmet. I reluctantly removed my helmet as I knew he was going to sniff (yes they do sniff - not every cop is equipped with the device to detect alchoholic content from breath). To my surprise he didn't sniff!
mamu1: Where are you going?
me : To my office near richmond circle
mamu1: Why so early in the morning?
me : Planning to go for a trek/picnic near chickaballapur (the town closest to skandagiri)
mamu1: Whose bike is it?
me : (with pride) Its my own (I have paid each and every installment of it... ICICI bank can prove it! :))
mamu1: Tell me the registration number
me : its KA-O...err.. KA-O5 ...EA6...(thats when I realised I dont remember my bike number! - what an embarrassing situation to be in !)
mamu1: come again... is it KA-O5?
me : No its KA-O2...
mamu1: (looking at my number plate) NO
me : is it KA-O4...(Bangalore's RTO numbers range from KAO1 to O5 only)
mamu1: Are you trying to fool me by guessing all the numbers?
me : illa sir (no sir)... I dont remember it. The next number starts with EA6...
mamu1: atleast complete the second number(he was fair here)...
me : I dont remember sir but it starts with EA6...
mamu1: Why should I believe this bike is yours?
me : I can show you the documents of bike registered in my name (and as I was saying this I tried to reach the documents in my pocket)
mamu1: (Stopping me from reaching my pocket) How will I know you are the one whose name is mentioned on the documents?
me : I'll show you my license as my photo id proof...
mamu1: No I dont want to look at your documents. You have to tell me your regn number
me : (how can I recollect something that I have forgotten...you dumbo) No sir I dont remember
mamu1: How long have you been owning this bike
me : around 2 years (I was really embarrassed that even after 2 yrs I dont remember the number)
mamu1: You look like a educated fellow (thanks for the complement :)) How come you don't remember the phone number?(I am like Einstein - just kidding... the legend says he had very short memory )
me : (I just smiled - what else could I have done?)
mamu1: You ppl remember your mobile numbers but not vehicle's regn numbers (so there are others also who don't remember their regn numbers... now I am less guilty :))
me : Thats because ppl usually ask me my mobile number and not vehicle's number. (with a smile on my face) infact you are the first person to ask for. Next time you ask me I'll definitely remember (Doesn't I sound logical?)
mamu1: (He gave me a pen and asked me to write the regn number on a paper and he'll let me go)
me : How can I write it sir if I dont remember it. I'll show my documents instead ...
mamu2: (Looked like he was convinced... even he was getting irritated by mamu1's stupidity)
mamu1: I'll explain you how you can get into trouble if you don't remember the regn number
me : (funda at 2.30 am in the morning... Nooooooooooooo)
mamu1: If you have parked in a huge parking lot of a shopping mall or a multiplex complex how'll you identify your bike
me : (wish I had a remote controlled security system for my bike... anyway something occured to me to save my face) There is a label on my number plate
mamu1: (Looking at the number plate with a detective look on his face verifying the label ) Describe the lable details
me : (What the heck... its 2.30 am boss) (described the details for the label)
mamu1: okay... but what if someone scratches the label away
me : (man... this guy was too much for me... why'll anyone do it ... unless if someone was as job less and as sadistic as this cop!) Then I would curse my fate and will refer to the documents for the number (this I said a little loud as I was getting frustrated from the whole episode)
mamu1: but...
me : (was getting more and more restless by then) You cops always find a way to screw us (refer to my other post Police mamu - 2) (I don't exactly remember what I told exactly... but I had managed to shut him up)
mamu2: (he was also laughing by then and came to my rescue) give me your contact details, your father name (why would he need that?! but I didnt argue with him on that as I was keen to escape from there)
mamu1 warned/advised me not forget the regn number in future and let me go... and this is the first time I escaped the 'fine'... btw I don't remember the number now ;-)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Police mamu - 2
This was my second funny encounter with the bengaluru cop which took place around 6 months back.
I had parked my bike at the end of the gandhi bazar (opposite to Anand Bhavan sweet stall) at a legitimate parking lot - even a parking board is put up there. I went to CCD along with a couple of friends and came out only at 10pm to find my bike missing from the parking area. In bangalore, if you find your bike missing, you'll suspect traffic police rather than a thief! I was almost certain that it was traffic police as I had experienced it earlier as well that the owners of expensive-looking bikes are easy victims. I had paid hugely a month before that for parking in a no-parking zone for less than 5 minutes! None of the Hero honda splendours (no offense meant to splendours - but its a real fact) around my bike were touched !! But this time I was surprised that my bike was missing even from the parking zone. I again made sure from the sign board that it was two wheeler parking area without the dates on it. (I knew that there are few areas where parking is allowed only on specific days of a month - like only on even dates or only on odd dates etc)
I went to the nearest police station(PS) - basavanagudi PS- not to give a complaint but to claim my bike. I was relieved as soon as I spotted my bike there. Two constables enquired and started alleging me for being careless. It was amusing to know that the crime I had committed was - not locking my side lock/handle lock!!! This came as a shocker to me as no one had told me that it was a crime. I even explained those PCs (police constables) that I am not informed about it - neither during the license test nor through media (I remember the extensive coverage of helmet rule in media but not any 'side lock' rule ). But they insisted that they had received a circular from SP to fine for this 'crime'. I told them I had atleast parked in the stipulated parking zone. Their argument was so dumb - since I had parked in the parking zone, police is supposedly even more responsible for the safety of my bike becuase if someone flicks my bike from the parking lot I would complain to police and allege them for being irresponsible!(what?!!) - so they carried my bike to police station (a protection meausre?) I was so pissed off by their argument that I started yelling at them in their den (read as police station) They demanded some unreasonable 'fine' and we finally negotiated at 150 bucks. By the time I and my friend could search our pockets for money, the PC suddenly felt it was too less for all the 'effort' he had put in and asked me to talk to their inspector directly. Once I entered the inspector's chamber I was introduced to him as 'the owner of that big bike' (com'on its not big - just that its heavy) Before I could speak, the inspector asked me to pay the PC 100 bucks (he he - I won ). I immediately agreed and handed over the 'fine' to PC. You should have seen the expression on the PC... in KREC lingo we would term it 'kela'. But before I could get my bike out of the police station, I was summoned again by inspector to his chamber (I guessed this PC had told about the 150 bucks) and demanded 150 bucks. I objected saying it was unfair. I gaveup when the inspector put this arguement forth (the dumbest in the whole episode) - at 10 pm there are no 'tiger's ('tiger' is the name given to towing vehicles of bengaluru traffic police - the only resemblance between the tiger and the towing vehicle is the stripes of yellow and black paint on the towing vehicle!) on duty as a result this PC had to push my bike all the way to police station (who asked him to do so - am I paying him his coolie wages?) more over the bike is heavy (and hold your breath here...best one is yet to come) and the road is uphill from the parking lot to the station and hence the premium (what the f***...)
I had parked my bike at the end of the gandhi bazar (opposite to Anand Bhavan sweet stall) at a legitimate parking lot - even a parking board is put up there. I went to CCD along with a couple of friends and came out only at 10pm to find my bike missing from the parking area. In bangalore, if you find your bike missing, you'll suspect traffic police rather than a thief! I was almost certain that it was traffic police as I had experienced it earlier as well that the owners of expensive-looking bikes are easy victims. I had paid hugely a month before that for parking in a no-parking zone for less than 5 minutes! None of the Hero honda splendours (no offense meant to splendours - but its a real fact) around my bike were touched !! But this time I was surprised that my bike was missing even from the parking zone. I again made sure from the sign board that it was two wheeler parking area without the dates on it. (I knew that there are few areas where parking is allowed only on specific days of a month - like only on even dates or only on odd dates etc)
I went to the nearest police station(PS) - basavanagudi PS- not to give a complaint but to claim my bike. I was relieved as soon as I spotted my bike there. Two constables enquired and started alleging me for being careless. It was amusing to know that the crime I had committed was - not locking my side lock/handle lock!!! This came as a shocker to me as no one had told me that it was a crime. I even explained those PCs (police constables) that I am not informed about it - neither during the license test nor through media (I remember the extensive coverage of helmet rule in media but not any 'side lock' rule ). But they insisted that they had received a circular from SP to fine for this 'crime'. I told them I had atleast parked in the stipulated parking zone. Their argument was so dumb - since I had parked in the parking zone, police is supposedly even more responsible for the safety of my bike becuase if someone flicks my bike from the parking lot I would complain to police and allege them for being irresponsible!(what?!!) - so they carried my bike to police station (a protection meausre?) I was so pissed off by their argument that I started yelling at them in their den (read as police station) They demanded some unreasonable 'fine' and we finally negotiated at 150 bucks. By the time I and my friend could search our pockets for money, the PC suddenly felt it was too less for all the 'effort' he had put in and asked me to talk to their inspector directly. Once I entered the inspector's chamber I was introduced to him as 'the owner of that big bike' (com'on its not big - just that its heavy) Before I could speak, the inspector asked me to pay the PC 100 bucks (he he - I won ). I immediately agreed and handed over the 'fine' to PC. You should have seen the expression on the PC... in KREC lingo we would term it 'kela'. But before I could get my bike out of the police station, I was summoned again by inspector to his chamber (I guessed this PC had told about the 150 bucks) and demanded 150 bucks. I objected saying it was unfair. I gaveup when the inspector put this arguement forth (the dumbest in the whole episode) - at 10 pm there are no 'tiger's ('tiger' is the name given to towing vehicles of bengaluru traffic police - the only resemblance between the tiger and the towing vehicle is the stripes of yellow and black paint on the towing vehicle!) on duty as a result this PC had to push my bike all the way to police station (who asked him to do so - am I paying him his coolie wages?) more over the bike is heavy (and hold your breath here...best one is yet to come) and the road is uphill from the parking lot to the station and hence the premium (what the f***...)
Police mamu - 1
This was my first encounter with bengaluru's traffic cops actually a couple of years back.
The first time I had been to IISc on my then new Bajaj Avenger to meet my friends there, I had found myself in a 'situation'. As you come out of the IISc main gate to head towards malleshwaram, you'll find the traffic signals confusing. It will take sometime to figure out which traffic signal be followed. Who ever has been to IISc would definitely understand what I am talking about. In such cases I follow this rule - just follow the main traffic instead! I followed the main traffic. But the lady luck deceived me this time around...
I was the last one among the main traffic to cross the signal and the first one to be caught by the cop alleging me to have violated the signal. He made me wait for 5-10 minutes (which actually felt like half an hour then :)) before he actually 'attended' me as he was busy attending other 'offenders'. As he questioned me and noted my registration number, I tried to explain him how confusing the signal was and how new I was to bengaluru in general and IISc in particular etc. While we were negotiating the 'fine' I felt that having a cruiser bike can actually hurt you as you are seen as a 'bade baap ke bigde beta' (forgive the grammer) by the cops!! He even threatened me that he'll inform my father by sending a notice to my house. He somehow had assumed that I was still a student and my father had bought me the bike. Anyway I didn't want to clarify him as he would have charged more 'fine' to an IT professional. He started with 200 bucks and finally demanded 100 bucks. I told him that I didn't have enough money and my girlfriend was waiting near Sampige theatre (the one near malleshwaram 1st cross - see the knowledge of movie theatres help at times :)) to watch movie with me and that she'll be disappointed if I didn't go with enough money to buy tickets ;-) I had brought appropriate expressions on my face to gain sympathy. He somehow was completely convinced at my 'frank' and 'genuine' excuse and finally agreed upon 50% discount at 50 bucks. That still remains the lowest 'fine' that I have paid the traffic cops at b'luru. Thanks to my imaginary girlfriend. I owe her a treat for that :)
The yellow
As I write this blog I am very much disturbed by the sight of an accident I witnessed at Lalbagh gate near Urvashi theater yesterday evening. This is the closest fatal accident that I have witnessed till date - a van infront of me and the victim, a 25-28 yr old guy on a two wheeler, was infront of that van! I hadn't noticed the guy until he flew 4-5 ft in air when a mini bus/maxicab hit him at 90 degrees. Before I could pull out my bike aside and reach out to my mobile to call up emergency ambulance number, a couple of traffic cops took control of the situation and informed the ambulance. I even heard one of them saying its too late... and it all happened because of the yellow light...
Conventionally, color red is used to indicate danger but I would recommend yellow...
I have often noticed that this yellow signal has caused more harm than good. In fact all the 3 accidents that I have witnessed till now are during the yellow signal. We all know that when a green signal turns yellow one is expected to decelerate but its quite common that everyone (including me) accelerate so that one can cross the signal before it turns red. Similarly, when a red signal turns yellow, it is to indicate one should get ready to move, particularly if one has switched off the engine. I guess this is required for all the old scooters where the kick starting is quite a trouble and time consuming. With more and more two wheelers coming up with the electric start even this 'start time' is short. If you choose to wait till the yellow turns green, you will hear a lot of honks from the vehicles behind you and few of them will give you a disgusting look and few might even verbally abuse you ! If you notice its hardly 3-5 seconds is the transition period from red to green and vice versa. During this 5 sec window one expects to see the crossing/junction without any traffic. But it has rarely ever occured and this 5 seconds window is when vehicles from all the directions try to occupy the junction. Such one consfusion costed this unfortunate guy his life. I have been driving extra cautiously the entire day today. My speed has drastically reduced to a max of 40 kmph since yesterday evening!
Yellow is also the prominent color on bangaluru's autos/ricks (or autorickshaws - a 3 wheeled car as described by one of our korean customers during their visit to bangalore :)). Thats one more reason why I want to associate yellow with danger. In last two years of my experience on bangalore roads I have concluded that its the autos that you need to watch out for once you are on driving seat even if there are other delightful sights on other vehicles around :) The way these autos use their indicators (again yellow in color) is quite interesting. In first place, most them don't have them. Even if they have they are used in pretty innovative ways. I have seen few autos turning both the indicator lights on (yes ON and not blinking) as if they are supplementing their dim headlights. I have no idea how they manage to switch on both the indicators without blinking... or why should such a control be provided by the manufacturers. I have tried to suggest the auto drivers (whenever I travelled in a rick) to use the indicators but in vain :( Some of the drivers use the indicators to indicate the opposite direction that they are about to turn!! I have noticed that the 3 wheel design of these autos give them the maneuverability comparable to a two wheeler - they sometime take such a sharp turns which can put the even the designers of fighter jets at shame.
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