How many of
you have faced the Bullies? It can be anywhere, like if you let your memory go
down those narrow, forgotten lanes of childhood, you might see yourself getting
bullied by other children of the class. Instant dislike to a fellow, you just
avoided him/her thinking he/she is kind of mean, failed to understand why they
kept on picking on you and swore never to talk again? Bullies are everywhere,
like if you are of more than 30 years and still getting bullied by someone more
younger than you in your office or the so called “corporate environment”? And
you thought childhood was over!!
One of my
recent encounter with bullies was on the road, and the bullies were none other than
the entire traffic present on the road at the same time. Recently I started
learning how to drive. Yes I do agree it’s a bit late but thanks to the phased
lockdown scenario, I got the ample time to learn and most importantly the roads
were comparatively empty. But still you would think it would be an easy job? No,
not at all, because when a woman is driving a car, the entire clan of the
opposite sex has to be a judge as to how well she is driving. God forbid, if
the car stops in mid-way, every other man passing by, will stare at
her as if they are self anointed, righteous heir to the God of driving and mind
you the honking behind, it never stops!
Going back
to the story, I was on the road which links the Ring road with the Morabadi ground
goes via Tagore hill and those who are unaware of the roads of Ranchi, it is
kind of a narrow lane with no traffic signal and no cops, so everyone going on
that road acts like a Boss. The road is perfect to practice traffic. The road
is so narrow that one has to stop and let the bigger car or truck pass from the
opposite side. So it is very unlikely that somebody can actually overtake any
other vehicle on their side. But here, we are wrong, and introducing Two Wheelers,
these are sect of traffic which is known for their specials skills like taking
a random cut without any indicator, while completely immersed in their own
thoughts. Yes I can hear the cussing words from the four wheeler driver while reading.
I apologized on behalf of every other two-wheeler(as previously I was one of the
daring member of this clan). It's not that we are irresponsible or we don’t know
the rules but as soon as we put on the helmet and start the bike or scooter, we
somewhat imbibe the whole characteristics of a typical two wheeler. While I was
on this narrow road heading towards the Morabadi ground, I was often letting
two wheelers overtake the cars from the opposite side which forced me to take
some drastic cuts on the road. After doing it for sometime, I noticed that even
the cars are overtaking other cars and whereas I am driving slowly, letting
them to take up the space on my side on the road. I asked my driver “Is it
happening with me or these kind of idiots exists on road for everyone else ?”
He said “ Idiots are everywhere, why are you letting them to overtake using
your lane.” I replied “ If I wont , then they will make a dent on the car and
plus I am still learning right now”. Hearing this the driver said “Madam, It’s
not about whether you are still learning or not , it’s about right or wrong and
in this case they are wrong. If you let everyone cross you this way, it will
become a habit of yours”. On hearing this, I went back to my memory lane when I
was bullied in school, college and office.
I saw a scooter
with 3 passengers trying to overtake a car from the opposite lane and was about to when I reached , I
pressed the brake slowly and honked at them, made a gesture telling them to go
back into their lane. I didn’t let them cross me or take up my space.
Sometimes
ignoring doesn’t work, you got to stop the car, and make them go back.
FYI, in case you do stop the car, just make sure
nobody is coming from behind, else a bigger dent on the car.
