Going abroad on study tour is a favorite pastime of all our vigilant Corporators,
MLAs & MPs. All of them want their state or city to become Singapore, Dubai
or Shanghai. They often go abroad to study how their transport system works
efficiently, how are their roads maintained, how their garbage is disposed of
etc. It is another matter of discussion that those study tours neither change
life in any city in our country nor the reports of such tours are ever made
public. Just imagine, what would be the report of a study tour of Indian cities
by similar representatives from some other country look like?
Here is a leaked report of such a study tour:-
“India is in real sense a republic country enjoying all the fruits of
freedom. They have all the liberties on road. You can walk on middle of the
road, cross the road anywhere you like, go into one way from wrong side, stop
the vehicle anywhere suddenly without using indicator and jump the traffic
signal at ease. Two wheelers go in a zigzag fashion, ride on the footpath in
case of traffic jam, no need to give way to ambulances, fire brigade or police
vehicles in an emergency. Traders can sell their products on footpaths and
shopkeepers can encroach on them as much as possible. Small eateries on
footpath are like mini drive in.
Cable operators, telephone, electricity, sewage board and all such civic
agencies can dig the roads without any coordination any number of times
repeatedly without restoring the road condition to its original state. Roads
are beautified with high road humps & deep potholes. The road contractors
are given free hand to take their own time to commence and finish the job of
laying roads. Inferior quality work ensures regular contract.
People have all the facility for their garbage disposal. They can just
throw them at the nearest vacant site, or corner of a road. If not, throw them
in the open gutter. People often make use of these facilities while going in a
two wheeler or even a car. They carry the garbage in a carry bag and throw on
the road side garbage heap without even stopping their vehicle or bothering if
anybody is coming from behind. Citizens do not bother about these and accept
everything with a ‘Sab chalta hai’ attitude which is exemplary.
There is no restriction on taking out processions and blocking the traffic
even on busy roads. Demonstrators can sit on dharna in the midst of the road
with full protection from police. They can freely damage the vehicles plying on
roads specially Buses, damage buildings, shops, furniture without paying any
compensation to anyone. No one is arrested for such vandalism. Sometimes, only
under pressure the main leader of such procession is arrested and later honored
by the government with a ‘Gallantry award’.
For the elected representatives, regular attendance in the assembly or
parliament is not necessary and one can enjoy all the facilities & perks
sitting at home or doing their private business. They can even come to assembly
or parliament to sleep or watch a video on their mobile while the proceedings
go on. They can create ruckus or stage walk out of the parliament or assembly
at the drop of a hat. Sometimes, they enjoy fruits of ‘Horse-trading’ after the
election staying at star hotels and resorts and come back home with hefty bank
balance.
The police are always hand in glove with the politicians and the rich. FIR
cannot be lodged easily, rape victims are ridiculed, politicians get VIP
treatment for their short stay in jail because they are never convicted for
life term, goonda elements can operate their plans sitting inside the four
walls of jail and common man can get away with petty offences by paying bribe.
Punctuality is given the least importance. Indian time is very much respected
and adhered to by one and all.
In short, it would be a fitting tribute to the Indian democracy if such
measures are also introduced in our country for the benefit & upliftment of
We the people”!!
