As I sit here in an auto at the bandra Kurla complex (Read: Mumbai's New business district) signal for 30 minutes now, I can't help but liken the traffic situation to a noisy classroom gone fully out of control. Refer to this video
In so many ways, the traffic refers to the chaotic manner of functioning Indians are used to in general. While thriving in chaos is a positive on your cv, it doesn't imply that we should face chaos and only chaos in order to thrive.
Picture this: There are the traffic lights, which are of no consequence in the morning rush hour traffic, as policemen seek to stamp their authority. Unfortunately, those who cannot see the policeman in control assume that the traffic lights have been breached, and start honking. (A typical disease we are afflicted with). As they near the signal itself ( close to 20 minutes for a 50 m distance), they understand the reality, and honk even more, (in order to force the guy to crash into someone).
However, there are 2 policemen here, giving absolutely contradictory instructions. In fact, each guy is allowing vehicles from 2 perpendicular roads to move on. Note that there is no confusion, simply because the vehicles being asked to move don't simply care about what's going to (or can) hit them. I am astonished that such a thing hasn't happened so far.
No point blaming the policemen though, or for that matter, the few Samaritans who care to help in major traffic milieu. It's somewhere a general lack of respect for the fellow citizens and for the rules, which leads to the absolute anarchy on Indian roads, and causes / can cause accidents, deafness, roadside fights with abuses galore on the female relatives, and loss of peace of mind.
Hoping that someday, the people can show some sense, traffic order can be maintained, even in the midst of a large number of vehicles.
In so many ways, the traffic refers to the chaotic manner of functioning Indians are used to in general. While thriving in chaos is a positive on your cv, it doesn't imply that we should face chaos and only chaos in order to thrive.
Picture this: There are the traffic lights, which are of no consequence in the morning rush hour traffic, as policemen seek to stamp their authority. Unfortunately, those who cannot see the policeman in control assume that the traffic lights have been breached, and start honking. (A typical disease we are afflicted with). As they near the signal itself ( close to 20 minutes for a 50 m distance), they understand the reality, and honk even more, (in order to force the guy to crash into someone).
However, there are 2 policemen here, giving absolutely contradictory instructions. In fact, each guy is allowing vehicles from 2 perpendicular roads to move on. Note that there is no confusion, simply because the vehicles being asked to move don't simply care about what's going to (or can) hit them. I am astonished that such a thing hasn't happened so far.
No point blaming the policemen though, or for that matter, the few Samaritans who care to help in major traffic milieu. It's somewhere a general lack of respect for the fellow citizens and for the rules, which leads to the absolute anarchy on Indian roads, and causes / can cause accidents, deafness, roadside fights with abuses galore on the female relatives, and loss of peace of mind.
Hoping that someday, the people can show some sense, traffic order can be maintained, even in the midst of a large number of vehicles.
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