Tuesday, March 11, 2008

WHAT DO I CALL THIS PHOBIA?


Travelling by Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, the carrier of Chennai’s masses is no longer enjoyable to me due to the harassment I suffered at the hands of its ticket checking officials. I fear neither the rickety buses with their rusted handles that may cause injuries or brakes that fail to work, neither the conductors or drivers who scorn and yell but the very presence of the MTC ticket checking officials at the bus stops would bring shivers down my spine, even with a valid ticket!!

I have diagnosed myself with this strange phobia right from the moment a group of ticket checking inspectors pounced on me asking me for the travel ticket two years back. I had bought a ticket as soon as I had gotten into the bus but only when it was verified I realized that the conductor had issued the wrong one leaving me in doldrums. What else I could have done other than cut a sorry figure for the mistake which I had not committed? My points of defense failed to convince the authorities and as a result I was forced to board the official jeep where I found myself in the august company of college students who were really ticketless. On way to the nearest depot, I was threatened with serious consequences if I failed I pay the spot fine of five hundred rupees. These men were asking me to pay an amount ten times more than what I usually carry in my wallet. Forcibly I was made to mortgage my gold ring (I had worn it only that morning) at a pawn broker's shop which I believe was hand in glove with the authorities for such activities. This harrowing experience has brought in me a weird habit of checking my pocket often for the travel ticket bringing stares from other passengers.

What do I call this phobia???

Entries are welcome to name it.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

very true..even i witnessed one such incident..

Ram at work said...

these conductors sometime engage in physical abuse by slappin etc...

i witnessed such an incident 2 yrs back @ saidapet bus stand..school going kid i suppose got a tight slap :(
... fortunately i had a ticket.

Anonymous said...

adapavi! nee idha innum marakaliya?