By Ananya S Guha
I spotted him once again, this ubiquitous friend of mine leaning nonchalantly by the side of a Paan shop, perhaps his daily haunt.
“So what is the news?” I asked a little tauntingly. (He always seemed to have the latest news or views; and was more than willing to share them!)
“Well I have been seriously thinking about some of the latest issues in town. Look for example at the latest crises with taxis!”
“Well, they look alright, to me.” I replied. Their frenetic speed is a sure sign of success. The drivers wave hands when their reply is in the negative, and continue driving when you are just jumping in the taxis; when their reply is in the affirmative. Well, what I mean is if they are gracious enough to accept the request to go somewhere they dash on, with you clinging frantically to the door for precious life. And if they want to say ‘No’ then they simply wave their hand. Nice codified and cryptic, way of saying ‘No’.
“Oh yes” he replied. “And more often than not when they don’t want they either look at you quizzically, or make a polite query. But I am trying to look at this problem of making taxis more commodious. In fact, this idea of having maxi cabs is excellent!”
I found my friend once again meandering into superfluous talk, as was his wont.
“Ok”, I said, “but what is the crisis that you talked of?” He paused; then said, thoughtfully: “If this novel concept of having separate cabs for women has not worked, we must do something else”.
“Yes”, I said. “Why should it work anyway? We don’t want to promote any exclusivism based on stereotypes.”
“What stereotypes?” he retorted. “We have to streamline things. If these blokes don’t want to go to certain destinations we have to ensure that at least they give preference to women.”
“That’s true of course”, I said lamely.
“Look”, he suddenly butted in: “If this magnanimous gesture has failed, why can’t we think of having separate taxis for old men and women!” “Yes”, I said thoughtfully, “but how old. What will be the cut off age?” “Don’t talk of age with disrespect. We can follow the Senior Citizen Concept” he said roundly.
“You mean to say they have to show their identity cards to the cabbies?” I asked smugly. “Yes, yes”, he replied, “and this will cover both genders. See how egalitarian this will be!”
I was not very sure. There was a stoic silence.
“And the next step” he continued animatedly…”
“Yes?” I queried anxiously.
“The next step would be to have exclusive cabs for children below 10 years and above it…”
“But who will accompany them?” I quizzed sharply.
“Why the mothers or the parents or the grandparents…” he shot back.