Conversation Files - Metro

This time when her friend dropped her on the main road, she almost lost her balance. Her head was too clouded by smoke but she was used to this, it was going to be fine. With her hands out on the road - signalling anyone who would stop and take her close to home. A rickshaw stopped, she inquired and got in. With her got in another man, who clung on

to his bag and fixed his glasses. He inquired about the price and about the road. He and the rickshaw driver then started having a conversation, she wondered where the conversation would lead. So with her head out in the wind and with her ears on them she tuned into their conversation; both the men started talking.

Man- The metro will come soon on this road; then I wouldn't have to take an auto and also I could avoid the traffic

Driver - What happens to us then? From where does my livelihood come from? If all you wanted to do is catch a metro than what's the point of my existence. (he said casually)

Man- That responsibility does not fall in my hand. All I wanna do is get home but I get stuck here for 30 to 40 minutes every day! It's too much, I work hard too you know.

Driver- Thats the government's fault they don't care about the people. In this area, when a bad traffic jam happens only the locals help them get out of that. You know that bypass to Thane took 3 years to make! Before that bypass it used to take three hours to get to Thane! One day on the old roads a local kid died because of the crazy traffic and then we demanded the Bypass be made! And it got made!

Man- Well the new governments good! I didn't know about the bypass but it is very helpful to travel.

Driver- It's all the local government that does any work, the big people don't care about us. (the rickshaw driver went on being a local to the area)

The man asked the driver to stop and got down. While she sat alone, very interested in the conversation they had.

Girl- So which government do you support? BJP (the Hindutava party; now in power) or Congress (the secular party- better (not good) of the two)?

Driver- Neither care about the people. But when Modi (elected PM by BJP) came we thought that he would do good and good he did!

Girl- But all his moves are wrong, Demonetization was the worst move ever! All it did was harm the good people; the big people still got away.

Driver - Abhi sunno Madam! (now listen)The government don't care about us anyways! I thought that Modi would be the reincarnation of god Krishna. Even Krishna had to make a few bad decisions before he did good. This road that we are on, has a rule. That no trucks are allowed before 12. They can only stay on road from 12 in the night to 5 in the morning. But back in the time when Congress was in power and corruption was on high; all they did was pay some money and pass through. So because of the commercial trucks this 15 min road used to take 3 hours. My dad had a heart attack and died in this traffic! Because his ambulance did not move because it was stuck! In this traffic!

Girl - ( a little shocked) Oh! I am really sorry about that. (the rickshaw came to a halt where she wanted to get down)

Driver - The government doesn't care about us- it doesn't matter which one comes in power anyways. All we can do is push for better rules. Because of the new government this road has less trucks when they are not allowed; it's not the right thing but at least now there's less traffic!