One of the most interesting aspects about living in India is experience of being on the road. Lately, the Indian roads have been flooded with cars of all sizes and shapes. SUV's, small cars, big cars, luxury cars, Jap, Korean, European, Indian cars (you name it) etc have crowded the not so wide lanes of metropolitan cities. With all the extra cash that the booming economy has brought in, buying a foreign car well, is as easy as buying a foreign car. It is all hunky dory for the car and petrol companies and car lovers except for the poor pedestrians and sometimes-fellow car cruisers.

Irrespective of the country or culture it can be safely said that most men pride their car(s). A car for a man is more than possession or means of transportation. It is a personality statement. But men never consider their driving etiquette a part of this statement. Most Indians that includes women (including me) suffer from a variety of driving disabilities- the most popular one being inability to drive in a straight line. Infact, driving in a zigzag fashion is a part of curriculum of many driving schools. Cursing at passing pedestrians or vehicles, incessant honking, speeding from the left, over speeding, driving while drunk, driving the wrong way are but natural for the terminally driving disabled. Giesterfahrers, incidentally in India are called natural drivers.

Apart from being cornered, abused and honked at, one most often that not gets potholed. Just when you are beginning to come to terms with the cruel driving world, you realize you can never trust what lies ahead (literally). You never know when the road ahead may take an unexpected turn (or a dip), or whats coming at you (from front, behind and the sides). Every drive to the supermarket is close to a dirt rally experience in some areas and in some, a driving obstacle race (you have to avoid hitting the running pedestrians who are crossing the road). Once one masters driving over Indian roads, driving in any western country is cakewalk says a proverb (err an old Red Indian one). 

The government recently introduced a social welfare scheme aimed at the 'downtrodden'. Actually, it was targeted at the poor pedestrians and the suffering drivers. Jokes apart, the Bangalore City Corporation recently announced to its residents a 'spot a pothole' contest. You spot a pothole matching a certain size in certain areas of the city, report it and in return make some money. The criteria for a reporting a pothole must also fulfill the below condition as stated by a BCC official. "The pothole should be such that it should make vehicles feel a jump, a thud, with high potential for accidents or damage". I say, that sure isn't difficult, most of Bangalore potholes are like that or should we test ride to check just in case? If one can actively take part in this contest, it would easily supplement his/her income for a few days since there are no dearth such prize-winning potholes in the Silicon Valley. 

The only thing I have to say to fellow Germans who are visiting India and are contemplating driving their way around:

1. Drive at your own risk
2. You got insurance, right?