Dec 14, 2007 11:53 AM
3566 Views
(Updated Dec 14, 2007 07:07 PM)
Many a times, while riding to work or on personal missions, I just cannot stop wondering about the traffic policeman who directs all the traffic, standing alone amidst the multitude of cars, mobikes, buses, etc. Though his work has been much reduced with the help of traffic signals, when there is a power failure, it is he who is playing the most important role in directing traffic.
His job is to just stand there throughout the day, if not relieved by his colleague, and give directions to the vast amount of traffic which is growing ever so larger, day by day and year by year. We often curse him for his folly in allowing traffic from one particular side for too long, while the others have to wait, but when we put ourselves in his place, it is really tough going. It is easy for someone who has not done a traffic policeman's job, to ridicule him and even shout at him sometimes, but in the end, when you really think about it, you could not have done a better job yourself.
His is an experience of a different kind, he does not complain of just standing there and directing traffic, though he does it day after day and year after year. In the 1970s and 1980s, only the main junctions had traffic signals and all the other roads were taken care of, by just the traffic policeman alone. It was in those years that his presence was most felt by people like us. Traffic in those years was much, much lesser compared to the times now. Nowadays, nearly every road has a traffic signal at the junction point, and his role is to just standby and see that everything is going fine.
Many years ago, when I was travelling to work one day, I was stopped by a traffic inspector and asked for my license and other papers. I had, on that particular day, forgotten to carry my license with me and I told him that my house was just 5 minutes from that spot and if allowed, I would go and get it for him. He was one of those nice fellows that you get sometimes, and he agreed and let me go. I was very lucky to get off so lightly, without even a fine, and I thanked God for this narrow escape. I always remember his face and the good way he treated me, trusting me to bring back the papers. Of course, I never went back because home was around 8 kilometres away from the place where he caught me. I was only grateful for having escaped without a fine and not having to turn up in court.
I have only one last thing to say about the men in khaki. If you do not have your papers with you while travelling, one thing you must never do when passing a traffic policeman is to stare at him, because the moment you do this, he gets alert and will stop you. All you have to do is to avoid looking at him and just look straight ahead until you pass him. This has worked for me many a times, I hope this works for you also.
