Party on, Shillongites!
As the clock strikes 9 in Shillong, this place turns into a real snoozefest. Shopkeepers are in a race to slam their shutters shut, living up to the hill station’s reputation as the “city that sleeps early” because it’s lights out pretty early.
But here’s the twist: this is when those obnoxious exhausts come alive, or perhaps annoyingly prominent.
It’s like the city finally nods off, and the sports bikes, regular bikes, and even scooters with loud exhausts think it’s the perfect time to party.
One gets to figure out about a kilometer away, and you can already tell a youngster is making their grand entrance. It’s like they’re setting off a warning siren for the whole town. Also, since the cops are off duty once the clock strikes 9, it’s like these younglings think it’s their responsibility to keep everybody awake, so ‘no crimes.’
The cops did try to put their foot down a few months back, giving some vehicle owners a good scare with fines for the illegal exhaust mods. But, it seems like it takes more than one slap on the wrist to teach the folks a lesson.
Fervour or chore?
Sunday must have been a strange day for anyone who was unaware as to why so many vehicles were lined up on the roads to be washed. This is not exactly a regimen, if you think so.
On Sunday, as a mark of respect to Lord Vishwakarma, a craftsman deity also known as the divine architect, vehicles were cleaned up and puja was performed on them in a way to express reverence and gratitude. Many two-wheeler owners were seen cleaning their rides early morning. Some of them even adorned garlands after the puja.
Although this has been a tradition, one may wonder if such exuberance with regard to maintenance is exuded consistently would that contribute more in keeping one’s vehicle spick and span or if all the diligence is poured out on a single day. Consistency pays off, it’s no secret.
While for some of us who already know this, it sure is working wonders; however others, whose Sunday this occasion was dedicated to the upkeep of their motorcycles/cars, might want to make this a chore and not a daylong fervour.