The Real Shocker

6 months ago I gave a test at the local RTA office and got my learner's permit. The permit said it's valid for 6 months and I could give the road test 30 days after the permit is issued. As usual, I put the permit in my wallet and went about driving. One fine day this month, I realized the 6 month deadline must be approaching, so without even bothering to look at the validity dates I went to the RTA office early next morning and stood in line to take the date for road test.

I haven't driven a car on Indian roads before - although I drove a manual/stick shift car for many years in the USA. So, I thought I would take a few days to get familiarized with it before giving the test.

The line started moving after a long wait - and slowly, but surely, my turn at the window came. The clerk inside took my papers, checked the computer, and asked me to pay Rs. 470 for the road test and gave me a slip. I asked him for 'the available dates after next week'. He said 'come for the test at 1:30pm'. I sought clarification asking - 'which day? I don't see a date on the slip'. He looked up and down at me and answered - 'come at 1:30pm today to the chinta chettu (Tamarind tree) area near the Maseed (mosque). Do you know where it is?' I answered in the affirmative thinking I could easily find out where the Maseed is. I muttered again - 'Can I get it for a later date?'; to which he looked again with the 'don't-waste-my-time' kind of looks and called the next guy in line who was already arching around and in front of me to hand over his application. I felt so unwelcome there and came away from there.

I then immediately called a car driving school number. I saved it in my mobile a few weeks ago, seeing it on the back of a driving school car thinking I should call them and practise a few days before giving the exam.

The instructor answered my call and said he's in the middle of a class. I told him I needed immediate help and that my test is at 1:30pm. He was confused as to how I could sign up for a road test when I haven't taken any classes. I asked where he was and went to him immediately. I explained my situation and sought his help.

He completed his class and told me he will show me what's needed. I got in the driver's seat and he guided me. He also took me to the Maseed testing spot and showed me where the RTA Inspector would stand and what he would ask during the test etc. After driving around a few rounds, we came back home. I grabbed a few bites for lunch and since it's already time for my test, went on my scooter to the Maseed testing location.

After waiting for a while the RTA came with his records assistant. The RTA first cleared those who came in their own cars for the test. Then came the turn of folks who needed a car for the test. A few 'contractors' are waiting with their cars for those like us who need a car for the test. After almost all are done, my turn came. They were sending two candidates each to be tested at the same time. They sent another guy along with me.

We went to the car assigned to us. The navigator asked me to sit in the driver's seat. I sat and tried to adjust the seat and the mirros. The navigator said - 'don't worry. they don't work. Only on setting for them since a lot of people have to use the car every day.' I didn't know what to say.

My hand went to the key in the ignition and left foot went to the clutch. He then said - 'this is a very old car - so the clutch is not working well. I will control the clutch and the brake, you control the accelerator'.

I didn't understand completely what he said at first. I was very puzzled. After a few seconds, I came to my senses and all I could do was smile. Meanwhile, the RTA officer was very busy chatting away with his subordinates and elderly driving license applicants - and didn't even turn towards us. The navigator asked us to go straight and turn right - only to come back half way. All of 200 yards. Then I had to sit in the back while the second applicant came in front of the steering wheel and drove straight to the point where we started.

The navigator then said, the test is done. And collected Rs. 50 each for letting us use his car. We got down and went to the records assistant - and he took our signature in the long book he's carrying. License issued 4 days later.

End of the story.

I was really shocked at the kind of testing being done for prospective drivers. Of course, they are not prospective because almost all of the applicants are already driving the vehicles they are seeking to get the license to drive.

If this is the kind of testing going on at the RTA offices for issuing a driving license, no wonder we see drivers rushing into the 4-lane intersection without looking for the traffic already in the intersection; and coming from bi-lanes into the main streets as if it's all one straight, traffic-free street, and they're the only ones driving on it.

It's not the roads we need to upgrade first. Upgrade the RTA offices, testing and verification procedures before issuing the licenses as also renewals.

Yeah - after 9 months upon our return, we are still learning the ropes of living in our motherland!!

Swasti!!

Shocker

Recently we let a couple of neighbourhood boys to come and play in our house with Chandra and Datta. These boys are around 10 years - a little older than my boys, but wanted to play in our house nevertheless. I watched them all play for a few minutes and seeing them get along well I went inside to get on with my work. They could play any of the board games, sports, toys etc., I told them - so I was looking forward to some undisturbed stretch of time.

I got on my laptop, caught some news headlines and after a few minutes - was about to start on my tasks when Datta ran in crying.

'He's catching my balls'.

I was shocked - and didn't understand what he's saying at first. I asked him to calm down and probed him further ... for which he said again, without calming down - 'I am playing and he's always catching my balls'. I was aghast at what the kids are learning these days - and from where - at such a young age. I was about to resolve not to let unknown and half-known kids in to play. I ran out to check out who was doing that and scold them.

A plethora of thoughts ran through my mind - in those few seconds it took for me to go out into the ground. Should I find out who did it and scold him? Or explain to him what's indecent behavior and not allowed in our house? Or should I go and talk to his parents instead?

When I went out, Chandra was batting and the neighbourhood boys were bowling and fielding. Since they are a little older, they are pretty much catching any ball that went up in the air. What can I say then? I looked down at Datta and he's still sobbing, with his face red from the hurt - I understood now - for getting caught every ball.

Who's at fault here? The neighbourhood kids, Datta, Me or the language?

Swasti!!