Driving Force

Finally, more than a year after getting off the driving seat, I want to go behind the wheels again. After few trips to driving school to prove my ID and address I was invited to go for the test to get ‘L’.

As I enter the school, I see a frame with 3 Gods from 3 religions on the wall mounted in one frame. This frame is very popular in many places especially buses. I don’t think it is political statement, its just that they want passengers to feel safe sufferers on precarious roads. No matter who you believe in we can supply raksha kavach to you all.

I was given few road signs to memorize. Most were similar to any other place except for few with animals: No bullock cart, No tonga wala, No push cart etc . And what I thought was commonsense hand signals are now formally taught here. ‘This is for over taking.’ He goes. Meaning what I ask ‘I am over talking’ or ‘you can overtake me’? Later one. Ok then I will use it all the time, and Keyur will never need that one.

Now theory out of the way, his instructor takes 4 of us to RTO.

Rule number one. Don’t think too much. C’mon move.

Now we have been trained by methodical English driving school that we need to check rearview mirror every few seconds and same for wing mirrors. But here front mirror has been adjusted so that instructor can see from his passenger seat, while learner manages to drive without checking what he leaves behind. Typical mentality! We need to focus only on the road ahead and find space to creep inside the space available in front. To keep an eye on other road users is not our business and is total waste of time! To prove a point, look, rickshaw can never reverse, if he over shoots he has to make U turn to reverse 2 metres back or get off and pull the rickshaw back. Thank God they have not modified car engine to suit ‘ahead only’ mentality. Three point turn, reverse parking and all those minor skills will be learnt later on in real life situation. Regarding rearview mirror, I don’t think he means to be nosey but person who spends every waking minute in car need some live entertainment and mirror allows him to see what people are up to in the rear seat.

Rule number 2. Be aware of strength of your vehicle. As we drive forward, instructor asked to stop the car, called cyclist and hackled him for god knows why. If you have not worked hard enough in life to be able to ride bigger vehicle then it serves you right to be taunted! This land of Gods with so many variety of vehicle in ancient time lived in total harmony. Ambaji from her tiger and bruhaspathi on his elephant respected Ganesh ji on his mouse. Whatever happened to that?

At office, I went in chamber to see officer. He has no moochh and long dhadhi but has ganesh and lukshmi with fresh garland on the wall. (Everyone likes hassle free life with lot of money. Also, I feel that brainy professionals have luxury to hold strong political and religious views as they are confident of their skills and secure in jobs where as people in business see every human interaction as potential profitable business and are more tolerant) ok let me not stray and get back on road to driving….

He decided I don’t need test after all. And grants me L.