The best part of Mumbai city, apart from it's multicultural mix of people, is the excellent transport system without which this nagariya would go down the dagariya. The lifeline of the city as many call it, just got another shot in the arm. BEST, Bombay Electrical State Transport has re-introduced AC buses which ferry Mumbaikars across the length & breadth of the city. A much needed respite for Mumbaikars who hang for dear life till they reach their destination. All this while exchanging bodily odors that unify this populace into a noisome lot of working class irrespective of the background of the individuals.
I was thrilled with this new upgradation but what really got me hooked on to it was the Rs.1000/- pass. One had to make a monthly payment of Rs.1000/- and then Mumbai was waiting to be discovered. I could travel in this AC bus to the farther corners of Mumbai without paying a penny. To get this pass I had to go to a depot with a photo, Rs. 1000 plus some additional 10 or 20 rupees and register. Post that I got a GO Smart card, something which looked like a swipe card alongwith a photo identity card. My happiness knew no bounds, I went bus hopping changing my routes whenever I felt I had to beat the traffic. I never ever took a rickshaw even for the smallest of distances. This was unbelievable, totally world class. It made me feel proud as I had experienced something similar in London with an Oyestar card. I gave ample PR to BEST went about propagating this new card system to all and sundry. Until one day, my wallet got stolen and I lost my card.
I still had a ray of hope as the photo identity was still with me and it could've been matched to my cell phone number which was taken while registering. I was hopeful.Maybe just maybe they would issue me a new card. Of course, charging me for the card itself.But none of this happened. My trip to the depot close to my house was a major let down. I was asked to buy another pass all for Rs. 1000/- plus some 10 or 20 rupees additionally. They couldn't help it if I lost my pass, so what if that meant I would have to spend double that month for traveling. They issued me a pass and I should guard it with my life. So big deal if I have a photo identity card which proves I am the rightful owner of that card. So what if they have issued me an electronic bill which can easily track my payment as a verification. I should've been more responsible.
So for all those who've taken this Go smart card or are planning to take it. Please do take the benefit of this scheme, but make sure you guard it like you would your life because if you lose it ain't going to get it back...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Reflections of the days after 26/11 ‘08 & before 26/11 ‘09
The alarm goes off at 7 a.m., morning ablutions completed, time for a quick breakfast, catch my bus at 8.55 a.m. This is a work week, struggle to get into an overcrowded bus, step on peoples toes, neck craned, hoping to get a seat to rest my derriere before I reach my destination. Newspaper in one hand, reading it while continuing to furiously glance over my shoulder for that one seat before I get off.
Suddenly I notice a black contraption at the top of the entrance of the bus. Oh it’s a camera. I relax a bit. Honk, Honk, Honk, Honk, Screech… bus comes to a sudden halt and I am propelled closer towards the exist. Phew! I survived the almost fatal halt even today… I get off at the next stop; I’ve finally reached office having stood throughout the 1 hour journey
At the office entrance there is a security check. Bags are screened, employee ID’s to be swiped & in you go. It’s 8 p.m. still inside the office. The only window to the outside world is ironically the worldwide web. Checking news portals for news. Everything seems normal Naxalites attack police camp; abduct four , kill three policemen, inflation touches 5.64 pc,no respite as prices rise, farmer suicides on the rise, Chat with Saif & Kareena on their love making scenes in Kurbaan.
Leave for home, need to run or I’ll miss the 8.20 train. Friend calls up. Lets catch a movie. Ajab Gazaab is my choice. We head to a nearby mall. At the entrance of the mall the car also has to undergo screening. They use a long metal rod which has a mirror at one end. They also check what’s in the back seat. There are two boxes, we aren’t questioned. Perplexed about what we were put through we asked the guard what he was doing with the stick with an attached mirror. He said “ Pata nahin, humko aisa karney ko bola hai” We smirk and move on. Car parked we get into the mall. There is a metal framed box that I cross to get inside. There is a beeping sound. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. I stand waiting for my bag to get checked. The lady yawns and opens the zip of my purse hands it back to me. I rush towards the screens; I don’t want to miss even the ads. Movie over I head back home ready to hit the bed.
Next day is another chapter in my life. The routine hasn’t changed and so also some other things.
But amidst all this there are something’s that have changed & changed for the better. To begin with people power toppled the top government officials who were seen as lackadaisical and inefficient. Though there hasn’t been an overhaul in the security systems one cannot ignore the increase in the number of surveillance cameras set-up in stations, buses etc. The most important change and a noticeable one is that people have become more vigilant. Today’s Mumbaikar doesn’t point fingers at the police but has joined hands with them.
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