Most of the Software Engineers' first foreign trip will be to US. But I wasn't in that lucky category and it took almost 6 years in this industry, to take me to this dream land. Yes, it was my dream to visit the world's most powerful and developed nation. A country that is talked about much and also hated across many parts in the world!
The trip happened all of a sudden for a new project assignment from my company (MindTree, Bangalore). I didn't even get enough time to say good-bye to many of my friends and relatives. Neither did I get enough time for buying things for the trip. But of course, I was excited about the trip.
On a Sunday (2006 Oct 08) night, or rather Monday early morning, I started my trip from Bangalore catching the Air India flight at 03:30 AM. The travel was not at all exciting. Flight was delayed for some time before we started. There was a change of flight from Mumbai. Then a long and boring flight to Paris that took more than 8 hours. I don't have to tell about the services you can expect from an Air India flight. I didn't get the windows seat. I didn't like the food. My head-phone set was not clear. There were no any good programs in the channel. Foot rest was broken! But I was still luckier than my co passenger who had to keep a small pillow up in his hands, pushing onto the ceiling to prevent water from falling on his head! Airhostess kept on saying that, nothing to worry about it as it's just the moisture from air condition system. After all, she has seen it many a times!
Got to see one old friend in the flight and spent some time chatting with him. Also kept walking through aisles and remembered to do some stretching exercises to avoid the long travel problems. Catching some panoramic Views through the window near the doors, (as the sky was clear most of the time), was another time pass as I had not taken any books for reading.
Flight stopped at Paris for more than two hours, though we had to sit inside. After cleaning and getting more passengers on board, another long flight started. Since I was traveling westwards, I was gaining more time. Though it was night in India, it was just after noon here. That means one more lunch on the same day (This time it was bit better).
This long flight ended after 8 or more hours finally reaching Newark, the airport near New Jersey. It was 5 PM when I arrived there. I was bit tensed about the questions they might ask at the immigration booth. But everything was fine and they took both the index fingers imprints and a photograph as part of their heightened security measures.
Got the first feel of US culture. Here everyone has to be independent. So there was no one waiting for me to pick up! Went to the taxi area and headed to the hotel where I had my rooms booked. It was getting dark by that time. Sitting inside the car, chatting with the Egyptian driver who was so curious to know more about India and Amitab Batchan, enjoyed few glimpses of New Jersey city area, realizing with satisfaction that my dream has come true.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Flying from Bangalore to New Jersey
Before you begin... this post is just a description or rather instructions on airport and travel formalities and will be useful for those who are traveling to US for the first time. This explains my trip from Bangalore to New Jersey by Indian Airlines involving a change over at Mumbai and a stop at Paris.
Though the flight is at 03:30 in the night, it is better to reach Bangalore Airport by 12:30 in the night. Even if you reach early, the Air India counter will open only by that time. You need to go to the international departure terminal (Departure-3). Look for the Air India counters. Other flights at this time will be Lufhansa and Air France and there will be a lot of people queuing for these airlines.
Give the ticket and passport to the person in Air India check-in counter. Place your check-in luggage on their platform. You can carry a total of 64 Kilograms split into two bags of 32 Kilograms each. Its better you carry two not so big bags (about 25 kilograms each), otherwise it will be difficult to handle them while loading onto trolley. Make sure that your hand baggage contains only necessary things like documents, cash, mobile, and any small books if you want to read. Remember not to put paste, creams, or any gels and sharp objects like combs, nail cutters, pins, etc in the hand baggage. The final destination city is Newark which is near by New Jersey. The first flight goes from Bangalore to Mumbai and then the next one goes from Mumbai to Newark, with a stop at Paris where you will have to sit in the aircraft itself. Remember that your luggage will be checked in till Newark. The person at the check-in counter will issue you two boarding passes and will return you the ticket booklet after taking the required sheets. They will also give you an immigration form which you need to fill with the details from your Passport.
Now go upstairs to the Immigration area, with your hand baggage. Your luggage will be now taken care by Air India and you don't have to worry about it until you reach Newark. There will be different immigration counters and you will have to wait at yellow line near them, until the officer calls you to his desk. Give him your passport, boarding passes and ticket booklet and the filled immigration form. Their duty is to make sure that no criminals are escaping from our country and you are going to US for a valid reason. They will verify the passport and may ask you some questions like why you are traveling from Bangalore when you are actually from Kerala, etc. Sometimes the person at the counter may send you to another senior officer for verifying more details. In any case, keep your calm and answer honestly. Once they complete the verification, they will put a seal on your passport and gives it back along with boarding passes and ticket.
After immigration, the next step is security check. Put your hand baggage and jacket through the scanner, and pass through the metal detector. A security officer will examine you physically and will let you go with your belongings after stamping on the boarding pass.
After security check, you enter a hall waiting to board the aircraft. You might see a lot of people waiting for other airlines like Lufthansa and Air France and might not get a seat in the beginning. Find a comfortable place in the hall and wait there for some hours until the announcement comes for Air India. Sometimes the flight will be delayed and will have to wait for a longer time. Do not sleep, as you may miss some important announcements. You need to show your Mumbai boarding pass to board the aircraft. It will take more than an hour to reach Mumbai.
Once you get out of the aircraft, follow other passengers to board the bus that will take you to the international terminal. As you enter the hall, you will see a sign board for transit passengers. If not, ask anyone the way for Air India transit passengers to New Jersey. Its a bit long walk through the aisles and at every turn, you will see the sign board 'Air India Transit Passengers'. Make sure that you always move along with other passengers. Then you will reach a big hall with a counter where the person will check your both boarding passes and will give you back the Newark boarding pass after telling you the gate number to board the aircraft. Go to the said gate number. Here you will have to go through one more security check where you need to pass your belongings through the scanner and undergo a physical checking. After that, wait at the hall near the mentioned gate, listening for the boarding announcement. Once announced, board the aircraft showing your boarding pass.
Now this is going to be a long journey. Try to get good sleep during this time. It will take more than 8 hours to reach Paris. Drink a lot of water and get out of your seat to take breaks in between. Walk through the aisles and catch some outside views through the windows near the doors. Even while you are seated, do some simple exercises and stretching to ensure proper blood circulation. You will get breakfast and lunch during this flight. When the flight is about to reach Paris the cabin crew will distribute immigration forms for those who are getting down at Paris. You don’t have to collect that. At Paris, some of the passengers will get down and you have to remain seated. Then some people will enter the aircraft to clean it and a security officer will come asking for your passport and boarding pass. After verification he will give them back. After an hour or two, some more passengers will board from Paris and the flight will start its journey to Newark.
This is another long journey. Notice that, though the Indian time is now night, it will be day time at Paris. So you will get one more lunch. After more than seven hours you will reach Newark. Airhostesses will distribute two forms before landing. One is customs form and the other is immigration form. You need to carefully fill both of them using ball pen in capital letters. If you make any mistake in filling, ask the airhostess for one more form and redo it again properly.
Newark airport is simple and spacious airport. After getting out of the aircraft, you will reach an open immigration area where there will be an officer saying 'US Passport holders, this way and visitors this way'. Join the line of visitors. The queue will lead to an immigration counter, where you will have to wait at the yellow line until the officer calls you. When called give him your passport, ticket and boarding pass along with the filled forms. He might ask you few questions, about your purpose of visit and intentions. Be calm and confident and there is nothing to worry about. If he asks more documents, be ready to handover them to him. Once he completes questions and verifies passport and visa, he will ask you to put your left index finger on the scanner to take an imprint. Then do it for right index finger. Then look at the small camera to take your photo. Once he handover the passport and other things, say 'Thank you' and leave the counter.
Just near by there is the luggage claim area. Look for the board showing Air India and your flight number to see on which luggage belt number the luggage will come. In the luggage area, there will be a trolley station. You need to pay 3 dollars to get a trolley. If no persons are there to collect cash, you will have to put it in the machine to get the trolley, or use an international credit card. Get the help of anyone around for that. With the trolley, go to the corresponding numbered belt and watch for your luggage to come. It might take some time to get the luggage.
With the luggage, move towards the end of the hall to reach customs area. While walking you will notice a money exchange counter there. If you don’t have any coins, give some Indian Rupees there and get equivalent dollars. Get quarter coins (25 cent coin is called as quarters) from there for at least two or three dollars, as this will be required to make a phone call.
In the customs area, there will be an officer to collect the customs form you have filled. Since you are not carrying any special items, you can just walk through the area with your luggage after giving the form.
Go straight towards the EXIT area and you will reach the arrival gate. Taxis can also be found near by that area. There will be a number of coin phone booths inside the hall. To make a call to any US number, lift the phone, dial the number and put 4 quarter coins into it.
Though the flight is at 03:30 in the night, it is better to reach Bangalore Airport by 12:30 in the night. Even if you reach early, the Air India counter will open only by that time. You need to go to the international departure terminal (Departure-3). Look for the Air India counters. Other flights at this time will be Lufhansa and Air France and there will be a lot of people queuing for these airlines.
Give the ticket and passport to the person in Air India check-in counter. Place your check-in luggage on their platform. You can carry a total of 64 Kilograms split into two bags of 32 Kilograms each. Its better you carry two not so big bags (about 25 kilograms each), otherwise it will be difficult to handle them while loading onto trolley. Make sure that your hand baggage contains only necessary things like documents, cash, mobile, and any small books if you want to read. Remember not to put paste, creams, or any gels and sharp objects like combs, nail cutters, pins, etc in the hand baggage. The final destination city is Newark which is near by New Jersey. The first flight goes from Bangalore to Mumbai and then the next one goes from Mumbai to Newark, with a stop at Paris where you will have to sit in the aircraft itself. Remember that your luggage will be checked in till Newark. The person at the check-in counter will issue you two boarding passes and will return you the ticket booklet after taking the required sheets. They will also give you an immigration form which you need to fill with the details from your Passport.
Now go upstairs to the Immigration area, with your hand baggage. Your luggage will be now taken care by Air India and you don't have to worry about it until you reach Newark. There will be different immigration counters and you will have to wait at yellow line near them, until the officer calls you to his desk. Give him your passport, boarding passes and ticket booklet and the filled immigration form. Their duty is to make sure that no criminals are escaping from our country and you are going to US for a valid reason. They will verify the passport and may ask you some questions like why you are traveling from Bangalore when you are actually from Kerala, etc. Sometimes the person at the counter may send you to another senior officer for verifying more details. In any case, keep your calm and answer honestly. Once they complete the verification, they will put a seal on your passport and gives it back along with boarding passes and ticket.
After immigration, the next step is security check. Put your hand baggage and jacket through the scanner, and pass through the metal detector. A security officer will examine you physically and will let you go with your belongings after stamping on the boarding pass.
After security check, you enter a hall waiting to board the aircraft. You might see a lot of people waiting for other airlines like Lufthansa and Air France and might not get a seat in the beginning. Find a comfortable place in the hall and wait there for some hours until the announcement comes for Air India. Sometimes the flight will be delayed and will have to wait for a longer time. Do not sleep, as you may miss some important announcements. You need to show your Mumbai boarding pass to board the aircraft. It will take more than an hour to reach Mumbai.
Once you get out of the aircraft, follow other passengers to board the bus that will take you to the international terminal. As you enter the hall, you will see a sign board for transit passengers. If not, ask anyone the way for Air India transit passengers to New Jersey. Its a bit long walk through the aisles and at every turn, you will see the sign board 'Air India Transit Passengers'. Make sure that you always move along with other passengers. Then you will reach a big hall with a counter where the person will check your both boarding passes and will give you back the Newark boarding pass after telling you the gate number to board the aircraft. Go to the said gate number. Here you will have to go through one more security check where you need to pass your belongings through the scanner and undergo a physical checking. After that, wait at the hall near the mentioned gate, listening for the boarding announcement. Once announced, board the aircraft showing your boarding pass.
Now this is going to be a long journey. Try to get good sleep during this time. It will take more than 8 hours to reach Paris. Drink a lot of water and get out of your seat to take breaks in between. Walk through the aisles and catch some outside views through the windows near the doors. Even while you are seated, do some simple exercises and stretching to ensure proper blood circulation. You will get breakfast and lunch during this flight. When the flight is about to reach Paris the cabin crew will distribute immigration forms for those who are getting down at Paris. You don’t have to collect that. At Paris, some of the passengers will get down and you have to remain seated. Then some people will enter the aircraft to clean it and a security officer will come asking for your passport and boarding pass. After verification he will give them back. After an hour or two, some more passengers will board from Paris and the flight will start its journey to Newark.
This is another long journey. Notice that, though the Indian time is now night, it will be day time at Paris. So you will get one more lunch. After more than seven hours you will reach Newark. Airhostesses will distribute two forms before landing. One is customs form and the other is immigration form. You need to carefully fill both of them using ball pen in capital letters. If you make any mistake in filling, ask the airhostess for one more form and redo it again properly.
Newark airport is simple and spacious airport. After getting out of the aircraft, you will reach an open immigration area where there will be an officer saying 'US Passport holders, this way and visitors this way'. Join the line of visitors. The queue will lead to an immigration counter, where you will have to wait at the yellow line until the officer calls you. When called give him your passport, ticket and boarding pass along with the filled forms. He might ask you few questions, about your purpose of visit and intentions. Be calm and confident and there is nothing to worry about. If he asks more documents, be ready to handover them to him. Once he completes questions and verifies passport and visa, he will ask you to put your left index finger on the scanner to take an imprint. Then do it for right index finger. Then look at the small camera to take your photo. Once he handover the passport and other things, say 'Thank you' and leave the counter.
Just near by there is the luggage claim area. Look for the board showing Air India and your flight number to see on which luggage belt number the luggage will come. In the luggage area, there will be a trolley station. You need to pay 3 dollars to get a trolley. If no persons are there to collect cash, you will have to put it in the machine to get the trolley, or use an international credit card. Get the help of anyone around for that. With the trolley, go to the corresponding numbered belt and watch for your luggage to come. It might take some time to get the luggage.
With the luggage, move towards the end of the hall to reach customs area. While walking you will notice a money exchange counter there. If you don’t have any coins, give some Indian Rupees there and get equivalent dollars. Get quarter coins (25 cent coin is called as quarters) from there for at least two or three dollars, as this will be required to make a phone call.
In the customs area, there will be an officer to collect the customs form you have filled. Since you are not carrying any special items, you can just walk through the area with your luggage after giving the form.
Go straight towards the EXIT area and you will reach the arrival gate. Taxis can also be found near by that area. There will be a number of coin phone booths inside the hall. To make a call to any US number, lift the phone, dial the number and put 4 quarter coins into it.
Monday, March 06, 2006
US Visa Interview
I've been to foreign countries before, but this is the first time I am facing a visa interview. Of course, the country has to be USA in this case.
I was well prepared for the visa interview, as I was told it's a serious business. One session from our travel manager and another one from the operations manager had given me a feeling that any slight mistakes in following what they have told will result in the rejection of my visa application. 'Be confident', 'Look at the eyes of the officer', 'Don't lean on the desk', 'Do not disclose anything more than they ask', etc. were among the few mantras that kept on ringing in my ears when I reached the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi.
I didn't expect US Embassy to be like it appeared. All I could see was walls and security guards. I reached an hour before my appointment and there was a small gathering of people who had come very earlier than their appointment time. While they were waiting their turns, the guard let me proceed after checking my papers and frisking the body. He directed me to a queue in front of Gate No:6 and an Indian officer verified my papers for accuracy. She gave them back writing some numbers and affixing a red smiley sticker on my passport. After entering the embassy, I had to undergo one more security check and all my documents were also scanned through an X-Ray machine.
The first thing to do was to scan the finger prints. The mantra 'Any slight problems in your index fingers will result in rejection' was haunting me at that time, as my finger skins were slightly peeling off due to cold weather. I pressed my left index finger on the small scanner hardly to make sure that the impression is well captured, until the officer inside the counter asked to me to press not so hard. Things went fine and the prints of both my index fingers were scanned.
Next was the visa interview. There were a lot of people waiting in queue in front of the visa interview counters. When I noticed that most of the people's passport in that queue is not having the red smiley on them, I approached a clerk asking the meaning of it. She said I've got the priority status (still don't know why!), and directed me to the empty priority lane. Soon, visa officer invited me to the counter for the interview.
"How are you, sir?" was first question, smiling at me with a welcome notion. He looked cheerful and energetic and more questions followed after collecting my documents. "How long have you been with this company?", What is your total experience in this field?", "What kind of project you will be working for?", "Who is your client?", "How long you intend to stay in US?", etc were the questions. He suffixed a 'sir' with all and was going through my papers all the time. Finally, he declared: "I have approved your visa, sir! Your passport will be couriered to you within three days". "Thank you, sir!", I replied happily and left the counter. All I spent at the embassy for the whole process was less than half an hour.
I was well prepared for the visa interview, as I was told it's a serious business. One session from our travel manager and another one from the operations manager had given me a feeling that any slight mistakes in following what they have told will result in the rejection of my visa application. 'Be confident', 'Look at the eyes of the officer', 'Don't lean on the desk', 'Do not disclose anything more than they ask', etc. were among the few mantras that kept on ringing in my ears when I reached the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi.
I didn't expect US Embassy to be like it appeared. All I could see was walls and security guards. I reached an hour before my appointment and there was a small gathering of people who had come very earlier than their appointment time. While they were waiting their turns, the guard let me proceed after checking my papers and frisking the body. He directed me to a queue in front of Gate No:6 and an Indian officer verified my papers for accuracy. She gave them back writing some numbers and affixing a red smiley sticker on my passport. After entering the embassy, I had to undergo one more security check and all my documents were also scanned through an X-Ray machine.
The first thing to do was to scan the finger prints. The mantra 'Any slight problems in your index fingers will result in rejection' was haunting me at that time, as my finger skins were slightly peeling off due to cold weather. I pressed my left index finger on the small scanner hardly to make sure that the impression is well captured, until the officer inside the counter asked to me to press not so hard. Things went fine and the prints of both my index fingers were scanned.
Next was the visa interview. There were a lot of people waiting in queue in front of the visa interview counters. When I noticed that most of the people's passport in that queue is not having the red smiley on them, I approached a clerk asking the meaning of it. She said I've got the priority status (still don't know why!), and directed me to the empty priority lane. Soon, visa officer invited me to the counter for the interview.
"How are you, sir?" was first question, smiling at me with a welcome notion. He looked cheerful and energetic and more questions followed after collecting my documents. "How long have you been with this company?", What is your total experience in this field?", "What kind of project you will be working for?", "Who is your client?", "How long you intend to stay in US?", etc were the questions. He suffixed a 'sir' with all and was going through my papers all the time. Finally, he declared: "I have approved your visa, sir! Your passport will be couriered to you within three days". "Thank you, sir!", I replied happily and left the counter. All I spent at the embassy for the whole process was less than half an hour.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Bryan Adams in Bangalore
Since I started listening to those pops and rocks, it was my secret ambition to attend one of those live concerts. I had to wait for long. I missed a chance when MLTR visited Bangalore recently. So this time, the plans were made well ahead and the enthusiasm of my friends helped a lot.
The Bryan Adams' Third Time Lucky concert at Palace Grounds was the first show of its kind I was attending. Watching him live, singing my favorite songs like "Summer of 69" and "Please Forgive me" with his magical guitar works was more than what I had asked for. The 15000 plus crowd, singing along with him with overwhelming excitement was an experience I'll never forget. His deep and touching voice made the show special and the scene of thousands swaying their hands in air with lit screen mobile phones, instead of candles, singing along Adams, was breath taking.
Many a times, Adams was swept over by seeing the crowd's response, and he said "You guys are just great. This is absolutely fantastic. I just don't know what to say!” More than two hours and 25 songs later, crowd was still hesitant to part with him and kept on asking for more, till he said a sudden good-bye and disappeared behind the stage.
Cameras were not allowed inside the venue. So we had to catch our excitement from the room, after the show (See the photo above). One of the photographers from "The Hindu" knew my feelings ;) and captured a photo of mine among the crowd, though my gloomy face (wondering how to get into the first row, for a better sight of the stage) is barely visible (first photo, left most, second row).
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Cochin : Traffic Police In The City
It was a sunday... I was in a hurry to drop my family members at North Railway Station as we were already late for the train... some how we made it just in time... and was coming back from station towards the North over bridge... I saw few motor bikes and auto rikshaws taking the right turn to get on to the over bridge easily to go towards Trichur side... I also followed them in my car... suddenly the cop appeared and asked me to stop... while I was wondering what went wrong, he made it clear... "it's a no-entry road for vehicles other than two and three wheelers"... ooops! I said I didn't know that... he said there is a big board saying that... oops again! what to do... i wanted to get back to the room as soon as possible... and the police man started getting all my information like name and address... finally he asked the liscence and made sure everything i said was correct... I was still looking for a way to escape and the police man seems to be looking for an alternate way to settle this situation.. he told me i will have to appear before the circle inspector of police in Kochi and will have to pay a heavy fine.. and any absence on the said date will result in serious consequences and all....I said I am moving out of this city soon and it will be difficult for me to appear for the case here... then he had this naughty look on his face... I knew what he meant and took my wallet out from pocket... he said... "but you can't do that from here... its a crowded place and people are watching... these days its a big issue..." huh... what to do... i looked at him helplessly... again he said "don't worry.. you park the car first here.... i will be standing there... and give me the cash". he went away from the car and started controlling the traffic over there.... keeping an eye on me... I parked car there and alas.... there was no cash in my wallet... all i had was credit cards.... after a hectic search in all small pockets of wallet, i got a 100 Rs note and went to the police man with that... when i was about to give him that he got tensed and said "hey... what are you doing... don't give it to me now.. people will be watching.. u stand on that side.. and i will come over there..." i waited on the road side with 100 Rs note folded in my hand.... after a while, he came towards me... and I gave it to him... "No no.... not like this... i will keep my hands behind... and you give it to me.. without letting others notice this..." huh.... it's not easy... I waited there watching others around there... all were busy with their own things and nobody was watching us... cool... then this police man kept is hands behind.... and I carefully approached him again.. as if am just passing by and tried to put the note in his hand... "No no wait... let that bus go.... people from that will be watching..." huh... I didn't know that a bus has just stopped near by us, as I was in a hurry to end this deal and go.... finally.. the bus went off.... and there was this police man... fully ready with his arms behind.. but fingers open and a tensed look at his face... everything went smooth then... i kept the note in this hand and he asked me to be carefull while taking my car... as that junction was heavy with traffic.. I ran towards my car with a relaxed smile... but the car again got stuck in the mid road, as I was in a hurry to leave the place.... this police man came into help.. he stopped all other vehicles and let me go smoothely....
Well... I was feeling a bit of guilty after this incident... I shouldn't have done this... a responsible citizen should never bribe a police officer... the situation forced me to do this... but that's no excuse....
After few days... I was driving near by marine drive with my friends... wanted to pick one specs from a shop... when we were near the shop, the car parked in front of that, just moved out.. and we said.. we are lucky to get parking space just in time... but i was bit worried... so I asked my friends to make sure that this is not a 'No Parking' area... they looked all around and give me the signal to park there.... after few minutes, we got back in to the car after getting the specs from the shop and as soon as we took the car out from there, two police men asked us to stop... hu hooo.... I parked the car aside and approached them with all papers in hand... and politely asked..."Did I do something wrong, sir?".... "Yes... it's a no parking zone!"... "But I have'nt seen any signs... more over, I was parking away from road.. near the shop and spent just few minutes to get one thing from the shop....". The officer showed me the 'No Parking' sign board... well away from the place we parked... no one by any sense, will think that board will be applicable to this place... but I didn't go for an argument.... I said "I am sorry... I didn't notice that... I shouldn't have parked there... will never do that again... am so sorry.." Officer collected my details and startted writing the slip... while found time to update me how the city will get crucnched if they are not vigilant on traffic rule violators.... I agreed totally with him and appreciated their work to keep the city traffic moving without hassles... finally he said... "Since you didn't argue back to me.. and since you agreed to what I said.... am not charging you a big amount... only the minimum possible fine... Rs:100/-... otherwise I could have fined you upto 500!". Huh.... imagine the cost of an argument with police officers..... am lucky... I said thanks and paid the fine, got the receipt and left the place.. washing off my guilty feelings of last event..
Well... I was feeling a bit of guilty after this incident... I shouldn't have done this... a responsible citizen should never bribe a police officer... the situation forced me to do this... but that's no excuse....
After few days... I was driving near by marine drive with my friends... wanted to pick one specs from a shop... when we were near the shop, the car parked in front of that, just moved out.. and we said.. we are lucky to get parking space just in time... but i was bit worried... so I asked my friends to make sure that this is not a 'No Parking' area... they looked all around and give me the signal to park there.... after few minutes, we got back in to the car after getting the specs from the shop and as soon as we took the car out from there, two police men asked us to stop... hu hooo.... I parked the car aside and approached them with all papers in hand... and politely asked..."Did I do something wrong, sir?".... "Yes... it's a no parking zone!"... "But I have'nt seen any signs... more over, I was parking away from road.. near the shop and spent just few minutes to get one thing from the shop....". The officer showed me the 'No Parking' sign board... well away from the place we parked... no one by any sense, will think that board will be applicable to this place... but I didn't go for an argument.... I said "I am sorry... I didn't notice that... I shouldn't have parked there... will never do that again... am so sorry.." Officer collected my details and startted writing the slip... while found time to update me how the city will get crucnched if they are not vigilant on traffic rule violators.... I agreed totally with him and appreciated their work to keep the city traffic moving without hassles... finally he said... "Since you didn't argue back to me.. and since you agreed to what I said.... am not charging you a big amount... only the minimum possible fine... Rs:100/-... otherwise I could have fined you upto 500!". Huh.... imagine the cost of an argument with police officers..... am lucky... I said thanks and paid the fine, got the receipt and left the place.. washing off my guilty feelings of last event..
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