Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Looking over the shoulder

I cross this bridge daily on the way to work. The bridge looks down on the Sarai Rohilla Railway Station. I arch my neck at strangest of strange angles, kick the person sitting next to me, swear at people who stand right on the bus entrance and block my view..all this to get a glimpse of the activity down the bridge. There is a sharp left bend as we descend from the bridge and that is generally where the vehicle catches speed. So, the 5 secs i get just before that are probably the most exciting moments till i get to office. Seeing a Vatva WDM2/3A about to depart with a west bound train has now become customary.

Today s sightings :

Vatva WDM3A
TKD WDM2/3A
ET WDM2

Monday, September 25, 2006

Discrimination

I was on my way to Zurich (via Wien) from Kosice a few days back. As i entered the Airport, a barrel chested Airport policeman stopped me and another gentleman. We were asked to show our passports, boarding passes, invitation letters etc. and were asked all sort of questions. Me and this other man were both Indian and it was very disturbing to see the officials seperating us from the crowd and subjecting us to this kind of treatment. It was quite obvious that this was done, based on the colour of our skin.

I thought about this for a long time. I was clearly angry and frustrated. I told about this to my Slovakian colleague who listened to me for as long as i spoke. She then asked a very simple question. She asked me whether this is more unfair than what happens at Taj Mahal, other monuments and even on flights in India

1. The entrance fee for a foreigner in Taj Mahal is around 20 USD while that for an Indian is a mere 25 INR.

2. A Flight on a local airliner from Delhi to Ahmedabad cost my Slovakian and Greek colleagues 200 USD each while i travelled for as low as 3000 INR.

Is this not discrimination? she asked. I did not have an answer.