Today morning I paid a visit to the local municipal corporation to make a payment for water taxes. They did not accept my cheque for a very flimsy reason. The cheque was rightly written, no scratches or corrections, yet was not accepted. The reason given to me was the digit “20” was written in one box instead of “2””0″ (” ” read as box). I tried to convince that the cheque will get cleared, and came a pat reply “Bank may clear it, however, we won’t clear it from our system”. I left scratching my head desperately trying to figure out their role in clearing a cheque. I was painfully laughing at this civic apathy.
On my way back home, my painful laughter has helped unearth a hidden treasure trove of such painful #civic apathies we all commonly participate in . Let me share just 3 in this 1st part. (more to follow….)
#1 PTA and the Principal’s Blood pressure
This event happens every month outside my daughter’s school. Its a private school wherein the fees are competitively priced and most parents own a 4-wheeler. The principal suffers from high BP on this day, and not the parents or the children. Guess what may be the reason. Parents come for the Parents Teacher Meeting (PTA) and block the one way lane for outgoing traffic by parking their cars in a haphazard manner, at times in the middle of the road. Can you beat that? The same parents then give global talk (gyan) on discipline to their children. Will it work?
#2. Once upon a time in Mumbai
The other day I met a senior citizen who was going gaga about how beautiful Mumbai was in their days. The roads were washed regularly, there were no hawkers in those days, and traffic was hardly any. Then she gave some *#%* to the hawkers for making Mumbai dirty. I was impressed about the Mumbai being #Clean piece. Because the next moment this lady along with a few uncles and aunties was seen chit chatting while buying onions from the local hawker sitting on the road. That’s not all. She was also seen having bhelpuri from the road side stall. Well, she has been having bhelpuri from the same fella for the last 30 years. Both are now senior citizens. Wah wah auntijee.
#3. Plastic Love
Every heard this term before? It is not what you may be thinking. I was at the local vegetable market busy buying vegetables and fruits. For once I was in minority. (don’t get me wrong). There was this man next to me buying vegetables. I looked at him and he looked at me. Eye to eye. He looked at me more closely. I was nervous. He was looking at my “Cloth” bag I was carrying for carrying the vegetables back home. He started laughing and gave me a unsound advise “use plastic bag for vegetables”. Why are you taking the trouble to carry your cloth bag. By the way, I must share this with you. He was well dressed in smart clothes and was also wearing a tie. Probably must be an executive or a manager in an organization and he also spoke fluent English. During our 10 second lift (street) conversation, he shared his qualifications as MBA and CA both. Wow, well educated haan.
I can go on and on, including my America return neigbhour’s “vermicomposting” story. I will leave it for another day in Story no #2.
I am doing my bit to reduce my “civic” pain. In case these stories made you smile or laugh, do share your funny stories with me on [email protected]
As a tribute to R.K.Laxman, these stories are dedicated to the “Uncommon Man” which I see in you and me.
– #SJ