The other day I was ruminating on the warning inside the train compartment which read, “Do not play the radio if objected to by co- passengers.” I felt it was quite obsolete, what with people plugging their iPods and mobile phones (which double for a radio, music player, et al). In fact, the sudden and alarming ring tones of the mobile phones and consequent long and loud conversation are more annoying than the once ubiquitous transistor. I actually enjoyed the mellifluous and soulful melodies of yesteryear. The diction and lyrics were discernible and never drowned by drum beats or the background score. That's the reason why the soothing melodies of Latha, Rafi and Suseela are well received even today.
Coming back to the warning, often times we find the statutory warning being observed more in breach than in compliance. Effectively, the warning on the cigarette pack should read, “smoking is injurious to others' health and yours too.” The passive smokers are more harmed than the smokers themselves! Nobody heeds or cares for the warning, I feel. “Trespassers will be prosecuted,” screams a board. I find people darting across the railway track, sometimes with their two wheelers too! We have mastered the art of breaking the rules wilfully and bypassing them nonchalantly. Spitting and answering natures' call in public have been taken as a fundamental right. The paan-stained staircases and street corners vouch for the same.
Many feel the enforcement of the law should be stringent. It must be done without fear or favour. Singapore enforces it to perfection and there is order and compliance amongst multi-racial community. In fact, my colleague had a harrowing experiencing at Singapore a few years ago. Not knowing that chewing gum was banned, he was preparing to throw the chewed gum in a dustbin when the strong arm of the law handcuffed him. He had no clue to what was happening and learnt to his consternation that “ignorance of law “was no excuse. He was let off after a stiff penalty and not before a frightful and unforgettable experience. ‘You guessed it right'. He cut short his holiday plans and took the first flight home.
On another occasion, a friend of mine was hauled up for crossing the road other than the designated point. The constable started writing the challan for a penalty of 25 Singapore dollars. Our friend of Indian-origin promptly pulled out his identity card proclaiming as an air force instructor at Singapore. Spotting it, the policeman doubled the penalty. “As a responsible government officer, you should be setting an example to others,” he said much to the chagrin of my distraught friend.
Personally, I believe in the avowed policy of ‘live and let live'. Precisely why, my schoolgoing son has never taken me seriously. The other day my wife took me to task for not monitoring the progress as the plus two exams were fast approaching. More to put a stop to her nagging than to assert my authority, I pulled him up immediately, on his return from school. He was more amused than annoyed and went about his routine as usual. My rebuke had not impacted him at all, or so it seemed. Out of the kitchen I heard my wife scream, “You sounded more like that statutory warning on the cigarette pack”. I was non-plussed.
(The writer's email id is: manohar757@gmail.com)
Keywords: mobile phone ring tones, radio, rules, lawlessness
This is a malaise that is prevailing in the Indian society for a very long time and I
wonder if it will go away. The trouble is that those in power and those who are well
off, are often the ones who break the law as a show of their power and position. I
remember long back when I was in India, Kiran Bedi earned the nickname of Crane
Bedi. This no-nonsense cop used to tow vehicles parked illegally in Delhi and earned
the chagrin of those in power. She was taken to task for this audacious behavior and
every attempt was made to tarnish her image.
There is a fad in the Indian society that to flaunt rules is a show of strength. Standing
in a queue is considered below one's "dignity" by many a middle class person.
Citizens of Pune and Mumbai are notable exceptions. If you are not visiting the gym
regularly you would be ill advised to attempt to board a city bus in Delhi or Chennai.
What exactly triggers this social attitude, I am unable to fathom.
A commendable effort to bring up this topic which might feel meagre when sundry things are taking rounds. I had an experience while in Paris airport where we were looking for our gate to borad our flight. Much to my delight the unique identification of the gate was that there were three queues at only one gate where the boarding was for India. This leaves you perplexed as to how we are sabotaging our own image even when off-shore.
i totally agree with mr. srinivasan's comment.,before i travelled to UAE, i thought Chennai is one of the developed cities of our country and it has better rules. but as i arrived in Dubai, i realized that our country is still atleast 50years back. The buses stops at the right place and move on the right time etc., The only way to implement the Statuary Warnings; the Statuary Warning producers/managers (police, admin dept. officers) must visit Dubai, Singapore etc to get more knowledge about that...
This article acts as an eye opener to those who make it a habit to violate rules.Rules are made to be followed.Unlike foreign countries in India it has become practice for people to violate rules and present lame excuses and seek under table dealings when caught red-handed.I think there should be proper awareness and strict follow up acts to get people adhered to rules and regulations framed.Kudos to the writer for presenting the matter in an enjoyable way.
The article tries to bring our attention on the very important issue, which is prevailing in the Indian Society and became part and parcel of every bodies life . I do believe that as the nation of 1.21 billion population, it would be quite difficult to make the people adhere rules and regulations but not impossible. The nation like India, there most focused area should be awareness among the mass. As writer points out, we know everything but deliberately break the statutory warnings, it's become a fashion to follow this tradition. For example, two-wheeler riders avoids to wear helmets, which is for the sake of their safety, but they have thousands excuses, if challan is imposed. The writer chose the right topic and platform to raise this important issue.
We in India should take it as a lesson and henceforth strictly follow Singapore example. we are already late.
What a hilarious article! The message behind this is the need of the hour.Bus and train journeys have become total headaches, thanks to each passenger becoming his/her own DJ.Even hospitals where the Silence sign has been put up in many places are no exceptions this. The other day, I was at a hospital with viral fever and a throbbing head. Somebody who was also waiting to see the doctor had his mobile blaring with songs in a different language. Just imagine my state! Only when people try to respect other people's privacy will this situation change. Otherwise statutory warnings will end up being mere statutory warnings!
As myself and my parent was standing in the platform of the Chennai
central railway station, my dad gave me a note of rupees ten and
five to get us a bottle of water. When I managed to find a shop run
by IRCTC, I asked the supplier for a water bottle and without much
hesitation, he gave me the same and said, ’Baiyaa, twelve rupees’.
But, to my query of warning regarding the MRP of rupees ten only, he
replied arrogantly that the extra two was his service charge. Of
course, without speculation, I returned him the can and said, "Tell
this to a citizen from an unknown territory and not to me."
Certainly, warning must never wither off but should withstand.
It is a wonder how when Indians are in India, they violate all rules and regulations and give scant regard to any warnings. The moment they set out of their shores, they are law-abiding and a model to emulate! One of the largest Indian diaspora live in the UAE and most of them understand the law of the land well and rarely are caught for transgressions. They know that monetary penalty is heavy and in some regions, driving violators are imprisoned. The writer's discomfort in handling teenager is understandable. Intuitively children know who should be obeyed, usually the LOH! In many of the households, scant regard is given to father, who only intervenes in times of trouble whereas children share more with their mother.
The article is hilarious and pointed out the pit falls in warnings which go unheeded in the public and in private. Warnings are friendly whereas fines are deterrent.Smokers and players of of loud speakers during festivals want others to partake in the exhibition of their happiness. Brats are amused at our warnings at their normal and noisy pleasures. when warning fails, we should pin our hopes on good sense that may dawn on those who do not hear.
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