An Incident.

Every moment incidents occur in this world. Some incidents relate to us and some incidents do not relate to us. Incidents come and go but their memory linger. Incidents are experiences. Only a few incidents that take place one could expect. However, majority of them that take place take one by surprise. If an incident is expected one can be prepared and face it easily.But, it's rarely the case. An incident needn't be either good or bad . It need not be either favourable or unfavourable too. It's often a lesson.

On 29-07- 2013, I boarded BMTC bus 288 H at 11.30 a.m. at Sanjivini Nagar bus stop near Sahakar Nagar. The bus plies from Tindlu to Kempe Gowda Bus Station. I had some work at nearby R, T. Nagar. I was fortunate to have a Senior Citizen seat in the bus. A friend of mine by name Sri Prakash Nadagoud was sitting in front of me and we were chatting. The bus smoothly passed through Kodigehalli Gate, Esteem Mall and Hebbal stop without any trouble. Soon after Hebbal a person aged about 25 to 30 years approached me suddenly. He was not tall. He was fat. He was black complexioned. He was acting as if he was at the verge of vomiting. Nearby passengers also persuaded me to stand up so that he could approach the nearby window for vomiting .I obliged. Immediately, two or three people pushed me someone threw my spectacles down.I was perplexed. I was bewildered. I knew not what to do. I was shouting "spectacles" spectacles". Nobody came to my rescue. The bus stopped to some people to get down and started. I was again seated and my spectacles were regained too. While reoccupying my seat, I noticed my golden japamala cut. I could realize that it was all only a drama played by crooks . I was fortunate they could not have my chain. Further, they neither robbed my cash nor mobile phone also. I informed the conductor . He said that I should have informed him earlier. Co passengers only blinked. This is Bengaluru 2013.

The above incident made me to recollect another incident that took place somewhere near that spot only. A few years back one evening I was travelling in a BMTC bus. At that time I got into the bus at Hebbal only. It was very difficult for me to make my way to a comfortable standing position in the bus. Way was blocked by the crooks. There was jostling. By the time, I was comfortable, I noticed my pockets were empty. I had carried a few hundred rupees in my pocket. I shouted and asked the conductor not to allow anyone to get down from the bus . The bus was taken to Hebbal Police station. There the police searched a few passengers in vein . Inspector of Police even offered to part with some amount for my return journey.

How can I forget the incident that took place in 2004. It was my daughter' s house warming. She had got built a beautiful mansion near my residence itself. I wanted to present her a nice wooden carving on the occasion. At about 6.30. P.M. I purchased the same from a shop in Avenue Road. Avenue Road is one of the busiest road in Bengaluru. As wooden carving was heavy, I engaged a coolie. I , my wife and coolie walked to Mysore Bank circle. Signals were showing red at that point of time. Mysore Bank circle is one of the most prominent circles in Bengaluru. It is the junction where Kempe Gowda Road and Avenue Road meet. I was holding firmly money bag containing currency notes, cheques, and credit cards etc. The moment signals were green a person came from behind and snatched my bag. I shouted and shouted. No one came to my help. Police was also not there at the junction. I lodged a police complaint. All my attempts to recover my valuables were fruitless. I lost about Rs 15000/- in the heart of Bengaluru city itself.

Though years have passed and Bengaluru has developed. But,life there hasn't improved much at all. Robberies have increased manifold. Life has become horrible. Life seems not liveable. Bangalore which was once a paradise for retirees is now a nightmare even to youngsters. Elders say " if you do not believe others you would not have belief in yourself" These days ,day by day a man's belief in another man has been dwindling & incidents in life make that trifle belief too disappear.