Travel
on deserted roads
On
15th August early morning I travelled from Dilshad Garden to Mayur
Vihar Guruvayurappan temple by auto. The road was deserted and the there were
more policemen than public on the roads. Security was beefed up due to Independence
Day. (What is the relation between security and beef is not clear).All vehicles
were checked. Perhaps seeing my attire, they did not check me except at one
place where they asked me as to where I am going. When I told them that I am
going to temple, they did not ask any further question. It was a perfect setting for a road run. At
Buffalo Vihar (Ghazipur) Buffalos and cows had a Road Day (Not field day) as
they were roaming freely. However, they were much more disciplined than human
beings.
Way
back in 1980 I had an opportunity to see a deserted Delhi. That was on 22nd
of February 1980, a complete solar eclipse day. I reached around noon on that
day after my marriage by KK Express (Kerala-Karnataka). The train coming from
Ernakulam was bifurcated at Jolarpet Junction and half of the train along with
another half coming from Bangalore was going to Delhi and other half going to
Ernakulam. Station area and taxi/Auto stands were completely empty. Not a
single Auto/Taxi was visible. My friend
Mr. Sudhakaran came on his scooter went in search of a taxi. After half an hour he came with a taxi. The
driver was under the influence of liquor.
However, I was sure that he will not hit another vehicle as there were
no vehicles on the roads. Taxi driver followed
my friend up to my residence at Sriniwaspuri.
Fortunately he did not make any accident. The solar eclipse had created so much fear
that anybody who looks at the sun may lose his/her sight. Since nobody was prepared to take such a
grave risk, everybody locked themselves at their homes. A similar situation never occurred earlier and
may not likely to occur in future also, at least in the foreseeable future.
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