Call it the overtaking lane, the speeding lane, or simply the right lane, for really there is no specific name for it in India. And it’s amusing how the Indian guys just vie and vow to stick to it. But ‘why’ - an obvious question! Ah well, it sure must be the orgasm lane. Ahem. No points for guessing. So guys, c'mon, contend and contest, pull to the right, and sense the sensational orgasm.
However, I must confess that even I am guilty of this perpetual tendency to keep to the right, besides being an inadvertent spectator. Orgasm or no-orgasm, I subconsciously pull to the right to experience the euphoria. Jokes apart, I tried to discover and pen down my raison d'être for feeling safer in the right-est lane, an out of the 'so-Western' world feeling.
1) Lack of infrastructure for pedestrians, or the poor Walkability Index (read post ‘Treading the tough path’; label: Trends), prompts them to use the left lane for walking. And mind you, they seldom mind the honk.
2) Even on a six-lane highway, the left-most lanes on either side are usually the make-shift parking slots.
3) The probability of you knocking down a cyclist, appearing out of nowhere in the dark, is much lesser in the right lane.
4) Any keen observer would testify that the roads usually starts dilapidating from the left, am yet to discover the logic though!
Indeed, methinks, driving to the right is my biggest service to mankind. It helps me save the lives of hundreds of those fearless soldiers who couldn’t care less for their lives.
A toast to their lives, and my ‘right’ (pun intended) drive!
- Namrta Batra
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
wow! very imaginative name for the fast lane
ReplyDeleteTrue Ajit, and very aptly stated! Unfortunately, even 'informed' people like us just take things for granted and work around their convenience. And I wouldn't deny the fact that even I am guilty of it :)
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks Rajesh. I think inspite of being thoughtful, I tried to pen down my observations with sarcastic undertones :)
ReplyDeleteWolf Counsellor, ah well, very imaginative name indeed :) Well, I hope that besides catching the name, you've also caught the message in the post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks fictional desi. You may also like to read the post titled 'Yeh hai Mumbai meri jaan!' under the label 'Travel & Living'. Keep droppin in for more nostalgia :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement Ajit! I understand the significance of the 'leader' analogy which can also be implied to life in general, where if we really believe in something, we shouldn't be apprehensive of leading the way; infact we should stand by it and stick to it, despite all criticisms.
ReplyDeleteI take your advice poor-me, thank you. And I really hope that the 'right' lane is in the 'right' condition to drive on!
ReplyDeleteYeah, every criticisms has a learning, and an opportunity to improve! Indeed, if you are not open to them, I believe more than anyone else you are being unfair to yourself by hurting your own interest.
ReplyDelete