Visit to a police station!

Never in your lifetime will you wake up to think that you will have to visit a police station, will you? (unless ofcourse, you ARE a criminal :P) Nor did I. But recently, I had the “privilege (to call it 😉 ) of visiting the same!! The reason being a misplaced bag in the local. Upon inquiry with regards to the complaint at the so-called “help desk”, the constable there asked me to register a formal complaint at the station. Now this place is hardly visible from a distance, it’s only on closer inspection that you can notice i

I enter the station, a little apprehensive after all that I had heard and seen in Bollywood movies. 3 constables at the table, the first one is aimlessly looking around, second man is dealing with the post office lady and the third is chatting with another man (later I realized that that man was actually registering some complaint) along with a bunch of men and women cops who flit in and out endlessly. I wait, hope to be noticed by someone. The first guy, who turns out to be the Head, does not lift his head and seems to be cleaning his nails with a pin. The second guy, after he successfully manages to explain to the post lady that this is not the right office, turns to look at me. “Sir, I lost my bag, I have been asked to register a complaint.” “OK”, says he, “wait for the him (the third man) to get done with his work, then he’ll deal with you”. I nod. The Head finally turns his head (pun intended) to glance at me, and then immediately resumes his work; cleaning nails, that is. Second fellow starts turning pages and filling them with some information. The third man, for whom I have been waiting for the past 10 min, finally gets done with the complaint (after the man registering it puts the paper clip in his mouth, shuffles pages and puts them in order, then takes that clip out and attaches it- gross) and gets it to the Head to be signed. Once the complaint-guy has been dealt with, he asks me to take a seat.

After taking my seat in the chair provided, the third guy, let’s call him Mr.A, asks me what my problem is, in Hindi of course. I explain the circumstances that led me to leave my bag in the train and ask him if something can be done. “Look madam, you are late in filing the complaint. You should have registered it 3 hours ago.” He then points at a poster on the wall and says, “Aapne iss number par try kiya?”(Did you try this number) “Ji nahi”(No, I didn’t) “kabhi bhi aapko emergency ho, iss number par call kijiye, turant upay mill jayega”(any time you have an emergency, call this number, they’ll immediately assist you”) I note the number and he then proceeds to write down my name, address, occupation and so forth. Mr A, after noting down the relevant part, continues to give me gyaan and says in a fatherly tone “agle baar se dhyaan rakhiye” (be careful the next time) I say “Ji” and get up to leave. It’s only after I’m back in the bus that I realise that not only did I visit a police station, I managed to miss the usual assortment of characters that you expect in a police station.

Point 1: Much contrary to the image projected in a movie, policemen are helpful and prompt. Though there wasn’t a seat to rest in, nor did anyone offer one, it was good to see their genuine concern for a bag, that in all lilkelyhood, could not be traced.

Point 2: The station (atleast this one) was small, maybe because it is the railway police one and did not have those typical half paneled wooden doors. It had an adjoining room, but that looked more like a place where they could rest than a separate office. They are small and stuffy, with a single fan to provide much needed air and almost negligent ventilation. You cannot blame them if they get a lil’ cranky, can you?

Point 3: There are no long lines of criminals or angry people  waiting to register complaint outside the station. There were hardly any people, or maybe it was  a good day 😛 But you are sure to elicit a few stares, and that is expected, after all you are getting in/out of a POLICE STATION.

In totality, movies, especially bollywood make stuff a little too filmy and though I did not meet anyone as cute as Rana in Kahaani ( 😉 ), I was happy to deal with good and honest policemen (purely on the basis of the way they treated me).

P.S: What was in the bag? Well, a book, two dabbas and one waterbottle. Now you would say that they dealt with me perfectly well, eh?

I love to hear other experiences at a police station, if any 😛

This is how we should live our lives. Period.

Junk food and Students: A Romantic Tale

Okay, let’s start with a small question: How many of you’ll did not have any junk in the past week? P.S: Junk includes vadapav and ice-cream and soft drinks too!! Well, to all the ones who did have junk, this was expected, no one can escape the junk influence!! And I’m sure the ones who haven’t had have a legitimate reason for not having junk, no worries, your forgiven!

Junk food came in India in the early 2000’s when McDonald  i.e. McD made a swash-bucking entry into the Indian shores. Since then, Indians, who earlier used to drool over Aloo ke parathe and chai have switched loyalties to Burgers and Starbucks; and for the non-vegetarians, our very own KFC! Even the humble vadapav is a permanent figure in our food entries, face it, vadapav is THE saviour when your dealing with “low pocket money issues”. Name one place which is permanently crowded, whatever be the time of the day? Oh yes, The Chaat guy! 

Well, why is Junk sooo popular with the youth? Or with anyone for that matter?! The very obvious reason is that it is so deliciously fried awesome goodness that lifts your spirits, pardon me, i got too lost in it, that you JUST cannot refuse it. The fact that it is easy on the pocket is also an important factor. In fact  most of these joints have special offers which are mainly targeted to the youth! Media also plays a role because you cannot escape a McD or CCD ad without thinking of visiting the place and trying out new food with your friends. These junk food havens have found the most potent combination: friends and food.

Nevertheless, it is important for us to note the side effects of such junk. Scientific research says that obesity is on the rise and there is a significant increase in heart attack risk in the recent times. It is attributed to all the fat and extra carbohydrate in such foods. I guess the saying “Do everything in moderation” holds true here.

But that does not put an end to this love story. Whatever be the statistics and research, junk food is never going to lose its popularity, at least till aliens bomb the earth! How else are we supposed to have treats demanded from friends on small achievements? Eat dosa and chapatti?? Well, one is allowed to throw the diet out of the window once in a while, isn’t he?! 😀