Surprise surprise!
It is likely that millennials in Shillong remember the two-wheeler parking place right outside St. Anthony’s LP School to have always existed. But in the past few days, this go-to parking lot of every motorist who would have to stop by Laitumkhrah has remained deserted. Why, you ask?
Well, parking there is now prohibited. The SJ team was just as surprised as you.
It was one of the weekdays when after taking the treacherous road from Shillong College towards Don Bosco Square, this SJ team member arrives at the parking lot and realises there were cones with ropes tied to them strewn across the stretch where two-wheelers used to be parked.
Every another motorist was caught unawares even as they looked somewhat disappointed.
The SJ team spoke to a vendor from nearby who explained that this development came about most recently. “The police don’t even speak to motorists. There’s no warning. They just penalise them immediately if they find that two-wheelers are parked there,” the vendor said.
This vendor, who was sitting idle at the moment, engaged in a conversation with the SJ team member and recalled the time when parking at the stretch would cost people money. According to him, the pay-and-park trend was withdrawn for reasons unknown to him. However, he too empathized with motorists who have all of late been arriving at the place only to return.
One of the visibly upset two-wheeler riders was a tad vocal about his feelings, going on to say, “If they make every place no parking zones, where will we park?”
According to the public, several places in Shillong are being identified as no-parking zones leading to citizens raising questions against the conscience in these decisions.
Blinding lights
As commuters en route to their homes in their vehicles after a hectic day at work, it is almost everyone’s routine to prepare themselves mentally for the journey ahead — soft music, windows rolled up and a proper lean-back against their seat; nothing seems amiss.
But just as they begin enjoying their drive, there are blinding flashes!
It’s another commuter in his vehicle flashing his high beam, blinding most of the oncoming traffic as if to make them believe that their life is coming to an end, and in the process, ruining what was supposed to be a relaxed evening.
Now, keep in mind that some of the commuters use high beams along the highway which is typically a no-no. In simple words, the high beam is used for a long throw of light along the highway while the low beam is short-range focus of light meant for city driving.
But despite all directions and advisory, umpteen number of times cars whoosh past flashing the high beam in the city. Many a times, even the SJ team members have become victims of this ill practice.
This isn’t any form of instruction, but let’s all try to follow some of the basic road rules so we can make someone else’s day one worth living for.