March 10, 2012

Welcome to Namma Bengaluru..!!!




We Indians have a bad habit, We don’t respond, till we are victims of things ourselves. Bangalore, aka Bengaluru my second home is close to my heart but then I come across incidents where I wonder, has the city really accepted me or am I still a stranger here? No offense to anyone, I’m just expressing my pain and frustration that anything can happen here and people will remain mute spectators and walk away. 

Saturday I was on my way back from a lunch outing with one of my colleague. Bangalore with its infamous traffic blocks, as usual we were stuck in a jam in Jayanagar. The car ahead of us jammed a sudden brake and naturally we had to screech to a halt and of course for the vehicles coming behind us in inch difference. Our car got bumped and we were sure that something hit ours. Naturally we got out to check whether there is any dent/damage. What we didn't expect was some stranger pulling my colleagues collar while I had no clue what’s going on.

It seems that because we pulled the break, they hit our car and one bikewala hit theirs.Now they wanted us to pay compensation. It took us a while for the realization to dawn that even if someone is hitting My car, I’m the one supposed to pay compensation. I thought are they had lost it what they are asking. But their behavior was far away from humane. With four Gundas around, we wondered what to do, we tried talking but went in vain, their threatening changed to manhandling my colleague. I called up the people I know, I called police, they asked us to come to police station immediately. But these Gundas didn’t allow going to police station, they just wanted money. Now their threatening style changed, If we take our car, they are gonna break it! All these while I didn’t see anyone coming forward with a helping hand. They could see a girl in the middle of all the fight, I saw curiousness in the bystanders faces like they are watching a movie. I realized that I can’t expect a helping hand. I called the police again to tell our situation, and was informed that someone will be reaching in 10mins. In the meanwhile, one of the family who was watching the entire incident came to our help. They told the mob that the fault is theirs and they hit us and we have done nothing wrong. The Gundas may have realized that they are not going to get any compensation; they took a big stone and came forward to break the car. We tried to stop from every side, my colleague was dragged away by two of them while the other two hit the car and broke the windows and then fled.

We have their Car number, we can recognize them anywhere, a case has been filed. What I don't understand is hasn’t human life got any value here. Is it like anyone can attack anyone for any reason or No reason. Do we have a system where by the time police reach us we could be safe? I'm worried, I thought at least in day light these kinds of things don’t happen. But I was so wrong.  The cars registration number is

KA 03 ME 6222 – Beware of them


I will go out again, but I will not forget this incident. Now I realize the necessity of learning Kannada. I May have handled the situation better, had I known Kannada. But does being humane got anything to do with what language you speak. Some of you will go through a similar situation or may come across. I hope you will “act” next time. I didn’t know whether to cry or beg at that point of time. Thinking now, I don't even know what was going in my mind. The moment I realized I won’t get a help, I hated the people, I hated the place. A request when something happens in front of you; React, Respond, Stop the Violence!

5 comments:

Eon Heath said...

Hey,
true what you say...no one reacts to something which isnt related to them...and its nothing like, it cant happen here or at this hour...
people get away with anything and everything...

and honestly, knowing the local language does help, but not always...

the good and the bad thing abt us is, we get over things...


Regards,
Eon

Anonymous said...

A sad incident, but this is not just the case of bangalore. This can happen anywhere in India. We indians have lost the courage to react and respond. Hope that wont stop from loving Banalore. TC

chandudoll said...

Guys,its high time for us to wakeup and react,please help your fellow men whether they are known or not known,atleast as a human curtisoy.i stongly want these to get punished and be thrown in to police station for the stupid behaviour.

Bikram said...

Its not just in india , we indians dont even help other indians in a different country too.

Everyother community will help 100%, but us indians well i dont want to say anything ...

Sad this happened with you and what do you mean police said come ot station, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO COME TO PLACE OF INCIDENT.. that is so stupid how do people tolerate such stupid policing amazing..

I remember I had gone to india and came acrosee a incident as usual the instincts kicked in and i got involved to which a Police inspector with three stars on his shoulder is asking me , WHY A I INVOLVEd and he was about to say a few choice words when I asked him to shutup and when i put my ID card right up to his eyes you shud have seen him meowing like a cat.. then the word "SIR" was added to every word he was saying ..

I dont know why people wud not do the job they are getting paid for ..

really a sad incident and how can soemone who hit you from behind is the injured party, it works the other way round , they hit you they are at fault , they should keep a safe distance between your car and theirs , ITS basic common sense ..
People need ot know the traffic rules too .. THe person who hit you from behind is at fault , no matter how you breaked or stopped full stop.

Bikram's

Timeless Memories - My Bygone ! said...

Dear All,

Most of you are correct, changing things in India is difficult that we end up changing ourselves. Its great to see and read in media, that there are still people who react instead watching.. a welcomg change though rare.