The Auto Ride

New Delhi is a fascinating city and especially for those who have been raised in its environs. I also happen to be a partial Delhiite as I was born here and grew up in Rohtak which is just about 60 kms from Delhi. My frequent visits to my maternal grand parents house in Delhi made me familiar to its many cultural and social aspects. I was more than happy when I got an appointment to Delhi post the Staff Course. Now Delhi for visiting grand parents house and Delhi for living on your own has different connotations. I got a cultural shock when I realized that none of my extended family members (there is a sizeable chunk of them in Delhi) had a clue about a rented accommodation in Dwarka sub-city where majority of Officers landing at Delhi check-in to begin their Delhi lives. I struggled to get a decent 2 BR house for my family and silently admired the good luck of my uncles and aunts who were staying in their own houses in Delhi and none had an additional house in Dwarka. My struggles in Delhi began and giving me company was my best half and two young children. Slowly, the life moved on and we became comfortable within our meager means.

 

My appointment necessitated frequent travel outside Delhi. The golden rule of my office was to catch the first flight out and get in by the last flight- if it was a day's work or take a late noon flight if the work spilled over to the next days. I must state here that I have a bad habit of reaching the airports/bus/train stations at least 2-2.5 hours ahead of the schedule. This is where my adventure began.

It was a hectic week  in peak June and I flew out of Delhi on the first flight to Mumbai and was back in the night. Next day I was off to Kolkata and again touched base at New Delhi late night through an Air India Kolkata- London flight. I worked at Delhi on Wednesday and on Thursday I had to take a late noon flight to Bengaluru. This was the tip of my wife's patience. As I checked into my home from Office for a quick shower and change, my best half was livid with my reason for a 1330 hrs departure for the airport to catch the 1600 hrs flight!!! Her reason was that the Airport is just 07 kms away from our home and what was the reason to go early and rather not spend some time at home? I gave up and finally set out of the home at 1430 hrs.

 

The Delhi heat was at its peak sucking the monsoons. As I came out of our high rise, I could not see even a single automated vehicle which could have taken me to the airport. The shower effect vaporized within no time and I set off on the foot towards the nearest road junction. Wearing my trademark Ray- Bans and sporting a crew cut I frantically was looking for a transport. I flagged down a manual rickshaw and told him to move towards the airport. 02 red lights passed and I saw one Yellow Green auto. It was a eureka moment and the time was ticking. The auto driver looked completely dis-interested and asked me for Rs 150/- to ferry me to the balance 05 kms!! Beggars cannot be choosers and I climbed the auto without any fuss looking at my watch.

 

As the auto moved and the hot wind started zipping me, I flipped out my mobile phone and dialed a number. It seemed that on the other side a Police Officer was on the line. The auto driver was driving in his own world and with his own happiness. I started speaking to the Police Officer on the other end and explained that I was touching down with my team. I sought 2 unmarked vehicles and I would follow my own rules and wishes to complete the encounter tonight in his city. By the time I finished this call, the auto driver had sat ram rod straight from his crouching pose. If you are aware of the Delhi auto drivers- you would have distinctly noticed their cross legged style of sitting and driving autos.

 

My next call was to my team members wherein I inquired about the ammunition and guns and  whether everything had been tied up at Delhi air port for a smooth passage as I was running a bit late on time. The reply seemed to be affirmative. The auto driver by now was sweating profusely and almost not resting on his seat. He was now aching to get me to the airport. The Delhi's new T-3 airport was not yet ready and there was a lot of construction activity at the airport's entry point. Soon enough, we turned inside the airport and I was clocking at 1510 hrs. Far away, I saw 04 men wearing grey Safari suits (there are many that you can see in Delhi) and talking animatedly. I just looked at that side and fortunately 02 of them also turned towards my side, bent to pick up their stuff and started moving. The auto driver was by now shivering and had also brought out my suitcase. Iwas taking out money from my purse but the auto driver saluted me and did not want any money. I touched his shoulder and gave him Rs 75/-. He was nervous and unwilling. He even wanted me to take his mobile number so that he could pick me up from where ever I wanted in Dwarka (Delhi is famous for its home deliveries and services!!). I told him to be careful from the next time and promise me not to fleece the customers. He was desperate to run away as the Safari clad men were now inching closer. On a nod from me as I kept the money in his pocket- the auto driver zipped away without even looking back.

 

The men in Safari closed by me and I turned inside into the Airport. They just walked past me and went away. The timing was perfect and the deed had been done. The lesson to the auto driver must have stayed as his falling sweat must have sorted out his Delhi chemistry. Soon enough, I was air-borne but not before thanking my best half for imparting some adult education to the auto driver. As the plane gathered altitude- I looked down from the window and saw many a Green Yellow machines criss crossing the roads of Delhi. I wondered how many of them would be fleecing the customer running against time!! My take away from this episode- Keep fighting fit, keep small hair, sport a Ray Ban and do not hesitate to act if need be. After all, the adult education in India is still a valid concept.