Saleem naam hein sir!
September 13, 06 by BharaniPrepared a presentation after 1 day of effort. Just 5 minutes before the client presentation realize that some crucial information is missing. Cool-headedness and some damage control tactics saved the day…Presentation went on very well…professionally..
Almost intimidated by a person who is taller than 2 metres. Almost intimidated by the size of the huge hands that shook my hands. Kept the focus away from size-comparison by engaging in conversations…After all, the other head had to look down so that I can proudly look up!
However, what made my day was the incident with Autowalla…Normally it costs me Rs.55 for a ride in autorickshaw from my home to office. Today, when I reached the office the meter displayed a figure of Rs.25.20!
I asked…”Aapka meter ko kya ho gaya?”.
He looked at the meter and was disappointed…”Psssch….Pssch…Arre sirr…phir yehi problem…Aap jo doge de do saab!”.
“Teek hai..Mein roz 55 deta hoon…Aapke liye saat rupya deta hoon!”…
The guy had a very innocent look in his face…He was all smiles…
“Aap meter ko teek kar leejiye..!”.
“Kar doonga sir…zaroor!”
“Aapka naam kya hain…?”
“Saleem naam hein sir mera..”
“Aapko Boolonga nahi…”!
He came out of his seat and stood…”Thanks sir..Thanks sir..” I walked away with a satisfied feeling…
It’s quite funny because only yesterday I exchanged the same line with another autowalla (”Aapka meter ko kya ho gaya?”)…Only difference was that the meter showed Rs.75..!! Nah…I didn’t give a rupee more than Rs.55…
Related Links:
1. Lessons learnt about life from auto-rickshaws…!
2. Indian Auto Rickshaw Challenge! First of it’s kind…Has a link for “News about Autorickshaws”…
Rajat Says: 13.09.06 at 7:48 pm
That was a real good one !!! It happens..I guess u always get paid for honesty !!!
educatedunemployed Says: 13.09.06 at 9:35 pm
Indian Blogger Says: 13.09.06 at 10:43 pm
Your Hindi seems to have improved
Tina Dacin was asking about you. She is teaching us Change Management.
Sidharth Says: 14.09.06 at 2:22 am
It is always refreshing to see honest auto drivers.In Chennai,I am sure an auto guy would have asked you to pay Rs.100 saying the meter is not working (I think you know enough about Chennai autowallas)
Manu Says: 14.09.06 at 8:12 am
Lol. Nice!
However, I should say that the ISB autoguys have taken after the Chennai Auto guys now. Screw the hell out of the students who want to go out of ISB!
Jeeva Says: 14.09.06 at 8:35 am
“Aapko Boolonga nahi…â€!
was that you or saleem ?
Ford Prefect Says: 14.09.06 at 11:21 am
I dont think anything beats the autowalls in chennai … The ones in Mumbai are a lot better … they charge per meter always … and theres hardly any deviation ..
Karthik Sankar Says: 14.09.06 at 12:20 pm
… and here goes Ford with another ‘Love-Chennai’ campaign !!
Dude… but I agree with your point
educatedunemployed Says: 14.09.06 at 7:47 pm
Ah, did Ford actually say something positive in favour of Mumbai.That is a definite start.
Awesome Bharani, only you could have brought that out in Ford.
Rohit Khanna Says: 15.09.06 at 2:25 pm
Hi Bharani,
Can you please drop me your mobile number at my mail id? I need to talk to you about something urgently.
Regards,
Rohit Khanna
Bharani Says: 15.09.06 at 8:30 pm
I agree with comments on Chennai Autowallas…The following line would summarize the situation…
Me: Ok, charge by the meter…
Auto:(chuckles) Sir, you know how meters work…do you really want me to do that?
Me: (!!!)
Bharani Says: 15.09.06 at 8:41 pm
Jeeva…I said that…
Manu, Wo log \’autogiri\’ karte hai…Show them some \’ISBgiri\’…:)
EU..you are killing two birds in one stone here!
Rohit..sent you the mobile number…