On 29th (of June 2010) I, along with my audit team headed to Chennai from Panruti to conduct audit for one of my clients. On the way, we halted at Hotel Highway inn at Madhurandhakam, had our breakfast there. One of the partners of the hotel is a well known friend of mine. He instructed the restaurant manager no to bill us. It was a surprise for our team members. Haa! they said, our first transaction on our way to Chennai was not charged !
I remembered the saying, "There is never a free Lunch". But, he is my friend, he gratiously hosted me a provided our team a free breakfast. How is this saying going to be real in my case?
But a saying is always a saying! We were travelling in a hired car. Our driver is not familiar with the topology of Chennai. We had to go to a street near Riche Street. Without taking a left before tarapore towers, our driver headed straight. I called him and told him that he had crossed the place and asked him to turn left at the next available left.
He tried to turn left at the next signal. Instantly he recognised that left turn was not allowed and immediately he corrected and came straight only to land in front of a waving police. Ha, they said, you have violated traffic rules.
We did not violate any rule. Thinking left was allowed, he slightly turned and corrected instantaneously. Just a bend. We tried to explain that we are new to Chennai Traffic and that Local traffic regulations are changing often. Also we explained that we have not violated any traffic rules. In fact, we did not enter into the no entry road. Nothing could satisfy them.
Sensing that their argument was losing strength, they turned at the Driver's License. Our Driver produced the Driver's License, (which was renewed upto the year 2013 during the first week of this month)
The police did not accept the renewal date. They said that they were going to charge us a fine. If unable to pay the fine, they said 'your vehicle will be seized'. They were going on accusing our driver for not wearing uniform etc., etc.
Not prepared to argue with them, our driver asked me 50 rupees. "Sir, give me 50 rupees, there are two beggars here" I gave him 50 rupees and also one more 100 rupee note, in case they do not accept 50 rupees.
Our Driver gave 50 rupees to those policemen. They said "Don't you know that even Chiken is Rs. 150 per kg?" " Give us at least 100 rupees or pay the fine" He paid him 100 rupees and was allowed to proceed further.
Ah I paid the breakfast price to these beggars. I tried to photograph those beggars without their knowledge. Here are they...........(I am not a journalist!)
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE BLAMED FOR ALLOWING POLICEMEN TO DO AN ADDITIONAL JOB - BEGGING AT THE ROADSIDE!
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