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sabeena
October 29th, 2003, 12:29 PM
The Dutch Software Company, BAAN , has opened an office
in Hyderabad and has been bringing in some of their staff from
the Netherlands to work in India.
Here is an article written about the driving conditions in India by
Coen Jeukens, functional Architect for BAAN.
Driving in India

For the benefit of people visiting India and daring to drive on Indian
roads, I offer a few hints for survival. This is applicable to every
place
in India , except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally
safer.

Indian Road rules broadly operate within the domain of Karma where
you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company.

The hints are as follows:

1 - Do we drive on the left or right of the road?

The answer is “both”. Basically you start on the left side of the road,
unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is
also
occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in
chess.

Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Most
drivers don’t drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended
direction.
Don’t you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. Except for a
belief in reincarnation, the other drivers are not in any better
position.

Don’t stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to
cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the
back.

Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic
is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister
is in town. Still, some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us
not
talk ill of the dead.

Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries where
we honk to express joy, romance or just bare lust (two brisk blasts).
Here, it may be to show your resentment, frustration, or just to
mobilize
a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar. Keep informative books in
the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while
awaiting the chief minister’s motorcade, or waiting for the rain waters
to recede.

Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience.
The roads do not have shoulders, but occasional have boulders.
Truck Drivers are the James Bonds of India and are licensed to kill.
Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six
feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck
approaching you with a single light on; usually the left one. It could
be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove
your point posthumously. During the daytime, trucks are more visible,
except that the drivers will never signal. Often you will observe that
the
cleaner who sits next to the driver, will project his hand and wave
hysterically.

Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking
coloured lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an
illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims
go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty and often
meeting with success.

I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential
areas has been prevented by providing a “speed breaker” which is two
for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage
pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by
the
corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for
year-end
accounting.

dahbal
October 29th, 2003, 03:55 PM
Hi Sabeena,

I welcomed your nice suggestion or advice.

-Balraj Dahiya

sabeena Chowdhary (Oct 29, 2003 01:59 a.m.):
The Dutch Software Company, BAAN , has opened an office
in Hyderabad and has been bringing in some of their staff from
the Netherlands to work in India.
Here is an article written about the driving conditions in India by
Coen Jeukens, functional Architect for BAAN.
Driving in India

For the benefit of people visiting India and daring to drive on Indian
roads, I offer a few hints for survival. This is applicable to every
place
in India , except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally
safer.

Indian Road rules broadly operate within the domain of Karma where
you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company.

The hints are as follows:

1 - Do we drive on the left or right of the road?

The answer is “both”. Basically you start on the left side of the road,
unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is
also
occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in
chess.

Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Most
drivers don’t drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended
direction.
Don’t you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. Except for a
belief in reincarnation, the other drivers are not in any better
position.

Don’t stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to
cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the
back.

Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic
is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister
is in town. Still, some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us
not
talk ill of the dead.

Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries where
we honk to express joy, romance or just bare lust (two brisk blasts).
Here, it may be to show your resentment, frustration, or just to
mobilize
a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar. Keep informative books in
the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while
awaiting the chief minister’s motorcade, or waiting for the rain waters
to recede.

Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience.
The roads do not have shoulders, but occasional have boulders.
Truck Drivers are the James Bonds of India and are licensed to kill.
Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six
feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck
approaching you with a single light on; usually the left one. It could
be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove
your point posthumously. During the daytime, trucks are more visible,
except that the drivers will never signal. Often you will observe that
the
cleaner who sits next to the driver, will project his hand and wave
hysterically.

Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking
coloured lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an
illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims
go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty and often
meeting with success.

I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential
areas has been prevented by providing a “speed breaker” which is two
for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage
pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by
the
corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for
year-end
accounting.