The other day while coming back from office, my bus was stuck in traffic as usual. The bus then halted at the signal for some time. I was sitting at the window seat and that's when i noticed this traffic policeman who caught attention from everyone around.
Unlike the regular traffic policemen we see everyday, this guy happened to be very animated in his actions. The way he was moved his body and gave directions just reminded me of Billy Bowden (International cricket umpire from New Zealand who is considered the best in terms of his animated actions on the cricket field). He was whistling continuously and loudly, waving his arms around. Suddenly everyone in the bus and on the road had their eyes set on him. This just went on for 3-4 minutes. Even the people in the surrounding buildings were looking at him from various floors.
Everyone was appreciating the way he was going about his work. I was even tempted to take a video of him from my mobile camera. As i did not want others in the bus looking at me if i did this, i avoided the same. So you can only imagine the effect this traffic policeman had on everyone. People were just smiling around. However the events that followed this i never expected. It made me realize that what i had seen was only because there was some special occasion.
Suddenly a fleet of cars arrived, followed by various Police vehicles. Some important ministers or foreign dignitaries were passing though that road, probably on their way to the international airport. Everyone realized then that the events that we watched earlier was just an act for the "big persons" who passed by. The following 2 days i just could not notice that animated traffic policeman .
One can't blame the Traffic Policeman; he was just doing his job to impress his superiors, just as an employee in his office would do to impress his seniors. Anyways on the lighter side it's that time of the year when most companies give their employees the annual raise which he or she deserves. Hopefully the superiors are watching their employees the year round, and not getting impressed by their "actions" just before appraisal time.
4 comments:
good observation n narration... tho i feel u cud hv elaborated more on what u saw... or maybe u can develop this into a short story or something?
@ Revathi: actually i don't think i have anything to add, coz i was stuck at that signal for about 8-10 minutes. Actually i guess i should have elaborated more on his body movements. :-) hehehe.
Hi Cedric,
I remember a similar incident in Delhi. Its atleast 15-20 years ago. This traffic cop in Delhi was so popular that, on the day of his retirement, he was featured on the Doordarshan National News. Children came to him with sweets to wish him on the retirement day. His location and timing was fixed and people enjoyed his dance everyday. Sometimes the traffic used to slow down as people were more eager to watch the dance :)
@ George: Sounds really cool. I guess 2day if a cop would do something like that, people will really think he is gone crazy.
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