An horrendous travel experience

This is a real life incident that happened in late 2000. I was working for a leading ERP product and implementation company and was assigned to a Dutch company based out of Bangalore. The client had scheduled a Meeting at Chennai (350 kms from Bangalore) and I was invited along with couple of their Senior Managers. Normally we would take a flight from Bangalore to Chennai for such Visits but this time due to cost cutting pressure, we were all booked in a Luxury Bus.

We boarded the Sharma Transport bus KA-01-A-115, bound for Chennai, on the fateful night of Friday November 10th 2000. The departure was delayed since one family going to Chennai for a marriage ceremony reported late. From 10:00pm to 12:00 midnight we were discussing the plan for next day and slowly went to sleep. At about 1:00am we got a big jolt, as if the Bus was being thrown aside.

The dacoits, armed with country made pistols and daggers, took charge of this bus in IC814 style, as the bus was nearing Kolar (once famous for its gold mines located some 70 kms from Bangalore). They first pushed the Driver into the gangway and then one of them drove the vehicle on a deviation from the highway, near Narasapur. The Bus was finally parked at a lonely place about 1km from the main highway. All this time the passengers were sternly told to raise their hands.

At the time, the grand thespian from Kannada film industry Rajkumar was kidnapped by dreaded dacoit Veerappan and we feared if this gang belonged to him and were hijacking us to his hideout. The hijackers, all 5 in numbers, occupying the last row in the Bus were well complemented by 4 or 5 others, who had followed the Bus from Bangalore on a Van and a motorbike.

At gunpoint, the passengers were asked to hand over whatever valuables they had on them viz. cash, jewellery, credit cards, wristwatches, etc. Before this, the gang ensured that all mobile phones and pagers were handed over to them. Later each bag was checked with more precision than the security staff at Airport, for more cash and goodies. Resistance from any passenger, was met with rude language and threat to take the passenger out and shoot him. The ruthless gang ensured that all the passengers were left penniless.

There was no doubt, that the gang hailed from the northern part of India, who spoke chaste Hindi. None of them wore masks or gloves, which showed how gutsy they were. One among them was kind hearted, who ensured that peace prevailed and also requested his accomplices to behave well with the ladies and kids. Surprisingly the 3 ladies and 2 kids in the bus did not panic at all. Fortunately nobody was harmed physically except for a few blows rendered to those passengers who tried to conceal some cash.

The entire ordeal lasted for about 50 minutes. The Driver of the bus was asked to hand over the bus keys and then the hosepipe connecting the Fuel Tank was cut off. The gang decamped from the site of the crime after ensuring that the luggage in the undercarriage of the bus, too, was not spared. Fortunately it was a full moon night and the visibility was good.

All praise for the Driver, who repaired the Bus in about 40 minutes time and drove the bus alongwith passengers to the nearest Petrol pump, some 7 kms from the crime site. The passengers then approached the police wirless van parked nearby. Message was flashed on the wireless immediately. The police party arrived within 30 minutes of reporting the incident, including the Superintendent of Police. Special mention to be made of the STD booth owner, near the Petrol pump, whose shop was opened at the request of passengers at about 3:00 am. Considering the state of the passengers, he accepted whatever money was given to him. I called up home to inform my family about the incident and heaved a sigh of relief.

The buses along with passengers were taken to Kolar Rural Police station at about 4:00 am. The crime details were recorded and the entire process was completed by 6:00 am. By then the Udaya TV crew members had arrived. The owner of Sharma Transport also arrived at the Police Station and ensured that the passengers reached Bangalore safely. He also ensured that passengers called up their home to inform about their safety and Tea/coffee with refreshments was arranged on the way back.

I could save my gold chain due to some quick thinking, while the dacoits were busy looting other passengers. My new watch was taken alongwith whatever money was available in the wallet save the Credit cards. I was penniless all the way home. My folks at home were already tuned into the latest Morning news, which flashed our Story. I could see myself on the small screen giving an interview. For a moment nobody realized the agonizing time I had to undergo the whole night until I narrated the complete story. You got a second life, they all echoed.

My tryst with Cabbies around the World

For me travelling is part of my life not only because my job in the Information Technology industry warrants it, but it’s also my favourite hobby.

The first touch point in the new city you land is the Cabbie unless a friend or a family member is waiting for you to be received. My experience with the cabbies around the world ranges from an emotional bonding to a forgettable experience.

Before I landed at Singapore, I was given a earful on the efficient city transport infrastructure especially the cabbies, who are supposed to be very honest, disciplined and expect nothing less or more than the fare that is displayed on the meter. It was the Chinese New Year eve sometime in January 2004 and with nothing much to do that evening, I was very keen to see the Night Safari located some 20 miles away from the City centre. It seemed like the city was in a holiday mood already and I could hardly see Cabs on the wide Singapore roads. The ones that I hailed refused to ply because of the long distance that would have cut short their celebration time. Finally an elderly looking cabbie stopped and offered to take me to my destination. I was very glad but it was short-lived. The cabbie switched off his meter and demanded a fixed fare that was 150% the actual approximate fare. All for the honesty and efficiency of the Singapore cabbies, I was left to ponder. I had no choice but to engage his service and enjoy the evening at the “must see” Night Safari including a dekko of the Singapore’s famous citizen, Ah Meng the Orangutan.

Later that year, I was sent to Houston, USA for a month’s consulting assignment. The cabbies in the US are well known for demanding the extras on top of the actual fare. After all US is known for its regulated Tips culture unlike other Western countries I have visited. But I did not expect this experience when I took a cab from the George Bush International Airport to The Woodlands, a suburb 20 miles away from downtown Houston. I knew the fare would be approximately $60 and kept $5 bill handy for the “Tip”. When the cab stopped at my destination, the fare was displayed as $62. I handed over $65 much to the annoyance of the cabbie. He expressed his anguish and frustration upon getting a tip of just $3 and started demanding $10 from me. I had no choice but to handover $70 which was still short of his demand. He departed, maybe with a thought of never taking an Asian passenger again. What is the difference in this cabbie and the Autowallahs of Chennai, I felt? My mind was immediately transported to Mumbai, where the cabbies took pains to return even a Rupee back to the passenger.

Closer home, I had a wonderful experience with the Srinagar cabbies, when I was sent to that city for a short assignment. This was in 2005 and the tourists were still apprehensive about planning a holiday to this paradise on Earth. I was a little apprehensive, when I landed at the Srinagar Airport but after interacting with the locals, I felt it was as safe as any other city in India. People were very warm and friendly and went out of their way to help any Tourist. My cabbie was very soft spoken and he hardly drove the cab above the 40km/per hour limit. I was wondering why he was different compared to others who drove on the Srinagar roads at high speed. Later I came to know, that he had couple of bypass surgeries and was not willing to take any chance by driving rashly. He was the only bread winner for the family and his absence from work meant his family had to go almost hungry. The lean tourist season had affected their business very badly. On the day, he dropped me to the Airport for my onward journey back home; I wished him good health; good tourist season and offered a tip equivalent to the US dollars I had paid to the ungrateful US cabbie. After some reluctance, he accepted the tip. The smile on his face brightened the entire environment around him and even my delayed flight back home had no moment of anxiety within me.

Last year (June 2008), I was asked to attend a Seminar in Munich, Germany. Summer in Germany is a unique experience, when people are in the best of spirits literally. A trip to Munich is incomplete without a Visit to the Hofbräuhaus, the famous Bavarian style Beer hall. I enjoyed Munich as much as the warm and friendly Münchners. I would never come across a city again, I thought, wherein people gave lot of importance to time be it the Hotel chef who served my Cheese and Egg Omelette in 3 minutes flat as promised or the friendly cabbie who arrived at the Hotel lobby 15 minutes before the appointed time to take me to the Airport. Somewhat Asian looking, I picked up a conversation with this cabbie, who had earlier greeted me Guten Tag (Good Day in German). The cabbie turned out to be an Afghan, who had settled down 6 years ago at Munich. He tried to speak with me in broken Urdu and became very emotional when I asked him about his homeland and his thoughts on India- Afghanistan relations. Most of the cabbies, be it in India or abroad, are often well read and I think their political opinion is well sought after since their attachment to the print media is more than anyone else. The newspapers give them the right company, while they wait for their next Customer. This Pathan, too, was well read. He felt bad about the war in his country and was very glad about India’s role in transforming his country. He echoed the feelings of his countrymen, by showing lot of interest in Bollywood and India’s rich cultural heritage. When I got down at the Airport, the Pathan embraced me in true Afghan style; wished me happy journey back home and asked me to pray for his country. Maybe the thought that my flight to India passes over his Motherland’s airspace, excited him more……

Early this year (February 2009), I was in London for couple of weeks on an official trip. The Asians must be forming almost 80% of the cabbies in the UK just as in US or Australia or UAE. Most of the cabbies in this sleepy suburban town called Slough, where I stayed, are from Pakistan. Normally these cabbies desist from making any political statement about India-Pakistan relationship but rather feel that we should live as friendly neighbours and squarely blame the politicians for the current state of affairs. I have seen the Indian and Pakistani cabbies mingle so freely in a foreign land as if they belong to the same hometown. Maybe it has got to do with the common language and culture that bind both these countrymen. Most of these cabbies have to send money back home and hence work almost round the clock, unlike the locals who prefer 8 hours shift and a relaxing weekend. Someone in the office, where I worked, slipped a Visiting card of a Mr. Khan, London Taxi Driver. Let me try Mr. Khan’s service for the journey back to my Hotel, I thought. Little did I know that this Khan would become my “un”official chauffeur for rest of my stay in Slough. He ensured that I never engaged another cabbie, by offering me a reasonable fare and prompt service at all times. Once while driving back to the Hotel, we stopped for a few minutes, while my friend had to make some purchase in the local store. I asked Khan as to why he was slogging so hard. His eyes moistened and he began by telling me his story. He had come to London 20 years ago after his marriage. His 3 kids were born in the UK and had adopted the English culture that included pubbing and dating. They could not be disciplined since he feared they may go to the local Police and complain against him. Two of his kids were girls of marriageable age and he feared they would run away with local British boys. He was hence planning to take his children to Pakistan and get both the girls married, without their knowledge. He was slogging to earn the air fare for his large family and the marriage ceremony back home. I could not say a word since I did not know how to react and what to suggest. I felt he was wrong in not letting his daughters know about the plan but after all he was a parent and wanted his kids to follow the culture of his motherland, which is fast diminishing in a foreign land. He had to leave the next day for Pakistan and asked his brother to be his replacement for rest of my stay at Slough. I wished him good luck and hoped he took the right decision.


Yours Truly,

Arvind Kamath
Bangalore

About the Author:
Arvind works for EDS, an HP company and is based out of Bangalore, India. Prior to HP, he was employed by Infosys Technologies. Both these companies gave him an opportunity to see the world, while on consulting assignments.
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