On an average, Mumbai Police is known for its non-cooperative attitude and demanding bribe (chai-pani) for anything and everything it does. But post 26/11, it is hailed for its bravery and exceptionally good attitude during the crisis. I too have a pleasant memory of Mumbai police (then Bombay) from way back in late sixties on two different occasions.
In the first incident – I was working in Calcutta and had come to Bombay for few days for some sales conference. Once I was asked by my office to meet our Madras distributor at Santa Cruz airport. He was coming from Madras and was to take another flight in an hour’s time to another destination. Being new in Bombay, I was instructed that the taxi fare from our office to the airport would be about Rs.17, give or take a rupee or two, depending upon the traffic on the way. When we reached the airport, the meter showed Rs.55. when I argued, the cab driver told me that the meter was in front of me and for me to see it carefully. Other cab driver also gathered around and insisted that I should make the payment. They knew from my language that I was not a local. Time was running but I could not afford to pay the sum from my own pocket. A rupee was a RUPEE then. My office would not allow me more than 17 or 20 rupees.
Seeing the chaos, a passing inspector on his motorcycle stopped and asked roughly; “Kaay Zala?” (What happened?) All taxi drivers started talking at a time. He shouted them to shut up, got down from his bike and turned to me; “Tumi Bola.” (You speak). He listened patiently while I explained my predicament and my reason of coming to the airport, as well as my willingness to pay the proper fare.
Realizing that I was new to Bombay, he became instantly polite and told me to go ahead and meet the aircraft, finish my work and come back. That he was on duty at airport and will make the taxi wait and on my return will sort out the issue or we all go to the police station. I went inside the airport, had my discussion with our distributor and returned in half an hour. True to his word, the inspector was there with another policeman waiting for me. He told me politely that there were two things we can do. First go to police station, or, if I agree, we ride back to my office and he will accompany me and see what the fare comes. I agreed instantly. But the driver started grudging and showed his willingness to accept what I give, even forgo that. Other drivers had vanished. The inspector would have none of it. He downed the flag of meter and rode with us all the way to my office. The fair was 18 rupees. The inspector slapped the driver hard on his face, told me to give him Rs.35 and suspended his license for a month.
What really surprised me was – He went to the extent and apologized for driver’s behavior.
On another occasion, a year later, I was at V.T. station with heavy suitcase for a taxi to go to Kalbadevi, a short distance. No taxi would come. I was trying for 10-12 minutes and getting desperate. I could not walk the distance with a heavy bag. Out of blue, a constable appeared from nowhere. He asked me where I wanted to go. He whistled a taxi, asked the driver to take me to Kalbadevi with stern warning to behave, took down his number and told me to report if there was any problem.
In the first incident – I was working in Calcutta and had come to Bombay for few days for some sales conference. Once I was asked by my office to meet our Madras distributor at Santa Cruz airport. He was coming from Madras and was to take another flight in an hour’s time to another destination. Being new in Bombay, I was instructed that the taxi fare from our office to the airport would be about Rs.17, give or take a rupee or two, depending upon the traffic on the way. When we reached the airport, the meter showed Rs.55. when I argued, the cab driver told me that the meter was in front of me and for me to see it carefully. Other cab driver also gathered around and insisted that I should make the payment. They knew from my language that I was not a local. Time was running but I could not afford to pay the sum from my own pocket. A rupee was a RUPEE then. My office would not allow me more than 17 or 20 rupees.
Seeing the chaos, a passing inspector on his motorcycle stopped and asked roughly; “Kaay Zala?” (What happened?) All taxi drivers started talking at a time. He shouted them to shut up, got down from his bike and turned to me; “Tumi Bola.” (You speak). He listened patiently while I explained my predicament and my reason of coming to the airport, as well as my willingness to pay the proper fare.
Realizing that I was new to Bombay, he became instantly polite and told me to go ahead and meet the aircraft, finish my work and come back. That he was on duty at airport and will make the taxi wait and on my return will sort out the issue or we all go to the police station. I went inside the airport, had my discussion with our distributor and returned in half an hour. True to his word, the inspector was there with another policeman waiting for me. He told me politely that there were two things we can do. First go to police station, or, if I agree, we ride back to my office and he will accompany me and see what the fare comes. I agreed instantly. But the driver started grudging and showed his willingness to accept what I give, even forgo that. Other drivers had vanished. The inspector would have none of it. He downed the flag of meter and rode with us all the way to my office. The fair was 18 rupees. The inspector slapped the driver hard on his face, told me to give him Rs.35 and suspended his license for a month.
What really surprised me was – He went to the extent and apologized for driver’s behavior.
On another occasion, a year later, I was at V.T. station with heavy suitcase for a taxi to go to Kalbadevi, a short distance. No taxi would come. I was trying for 10-12 minutes and getting desperate. I could not walk the distance with a heavy bag. Out of blue, a constable appeared from nowhere. He asked me where I wanted to go. He whistled a taxi, asked the driver to take me to Kalbadevi with stern warning to behave, took down his number and told me to report if there was any problem.
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