Here I am...its a beautiful world!

It all started when I lost a mobile (like everyone does in Bangalore!). When I told my mother, she was adamant that I lodge an FIR…to be on the safer side in case someone misuses my sim. So obviously I had to oblige, that was the least I could do after losing her phone! :(

I took a detour to office via the police station yesterday morning. When we were starting out, my friend advised me to keep some money in case the police officer demands more than just gratitude. I started off with my usual blabber, we have the RTI…I’ll insist on an explanation, I will not bribe blablabla. He’s saner than me so he just shrugged and said ok!

Once we reached the Madivala police station, I went straight to the sub-inspector in-charge. He looked quite all right, I said a small quiet prayer…wishing the Bangalore police would be different from their colleagues up north! That my friend would be proven wrong…alas! Of course he was different! He was subtle, an art which thanewaalah’s of UP haved always refused to master.

First thing he enquired was my address, Kormangla, I said. Turned out Kormangla was not under the jurisdiction of the Madivala police station, so he showed me the door. To add to my worries, he also told me that I’d need to get an affidavit and all! My heart sunk there and then! It seemed it would take more than just a few minutes to get an FIR done. And time is one of the things I am pressed for these days! So I pleaded my case, gave him a typical damsel-in-distress look...could Sir *please* help me, I asked! Well sir did have some good news for me after all. He said it would cost me hundred bucks, and all the frills would be taken care off. My blood boiled, but overtly I was all honey ‘n’ sugar. I told ‘sir’ how grateful I was and immediately gave him a hundred rupee note. Once the money was safely kept away in his desk drawer, this cop sang a different tune all together. He offered us tea, told us to relax and then (very patiently) dictated to me the letter I had to address to him. The problem of jurisdiction was easily resolved. Incidentally Kormangla (where I lost my phone) was rechristened Madivala main road, which was under sir’s jurisdiction of course, so no issues!
The letter done, he showed my friend the photocopy shop across the road and asked him to get a Xerox. While my friend was away my new-found advisor and mentor (!) even apprised me of the dangers of keeping expensive handsets and counseled me to go in for a cheap substitute in future. He then quickly finished the rest of the paperwork and gave me the receipt, the stamped copy of the letter and voila I had just successfully lodged my first FIR (Though I hope there are not many more to come!)

I look back in quiet contemplation. Since my foray into the big bad world, it has been one bumpy ride. One compromise after another. God where am I headed?? What happened to the romantic ideas and ideologies I ask myself?

The answer comes that from within…Shut up! It’s all about the survival of the fittest baby!

Lucky me, I got more than my money’s worth. Advice, tea and yes my work done in only a couple of minutes! And yes I almost forgot, ‘Sir’ even promised to inform me in case my phone is recovered :)