In Dependence

A long time ago when I was in school, we were invariably asked to write an essay on Independence Day around this time of the year. Being the innocent little boy that I was, unaware of the evils lurking in this world, I used to write all sugary stuff, singing praises of our country, its leaders and the martyrs. But after having lived here for 23 years, the whole idea of an ‘independent, sovereign, secular’ state has gone for a toss.

What can you do in 15 seconds?

You are at one of the busiest intersections in the city. The timer is showing 15 seconds for the light to go green. What do you do? Select from the folowing:

1. Ignore your surroundings and wait for the light to go green
2. Survey your fellow motorists and pass the time until the light goes green
3. Hum your favourite song
4. Make a mental note of the things you need to do as soon as you reach home

What, none of the above? Then how about the following?

1. Weave your way between the stationary vehicles while ogling at the females of the species
2. Keep honking and try to cross the intersection while motorists are still coming from one direction
3. Almost get hit by a bike coming from the aforementioned side
4. Then listen to a torrent of abuses from the said biker
5. Still try to move ahead and almost get run over by an SUV
6. And just when you feel you’ve made it, get caught by the traffic policemen

I know what I would prefer. And it doesn’t involve performing an utterly moronic and needless act trying to look cool. Sadly, that is not what a lot of boneheads on bikes would do. ‘Waiting at the traffic lights ain’t cool’, they seem to think.

Well, acting like idiots and getting caught by the cops ain’t cool either, fellas. And neither is getting your brains splattered all over the road.