Of the many colourful things I love about Mumbai, I adore my taxi travels with the UP wale bhaiyas. On many occasions they have been my stress busters amidst the chaotic traffic!!!
The Friday of August 12th was no different. Hundreds and… hundreds of people on the streets trying to get away from the bustling city for a peaceful weekend, extended of course – Independence Day!!!
On my way to meet a friend, I sat in a cab reeling all that was happening…
Moving at a snail’s pace. Light drizzle. Sweltering humidity. Noise everywhere, distracting me from playing numb… And a sudden cat-like sound in the taxi, adds to the mind’s madness. It’s the cabbie’s cell phone ringing. It rings for a few second but hell ya it seems like forever! At first I’m a little irritated. The mobile rings again…this time the cab guy turns to look at me(Yes! while he is zooming past traffic to make sure we aren’t stuck in the signal that’s soon going to turn red) and sheepishly justifies in his UP Hindi, “How can I answer the phone while I’m driving. It’s irresponsibly no?”
“Ahh…” I think to myself, knowing very well that for the next hour I’m certainly going to be entertained by this aged man Aziz Ahmed.
Rightly so, he begins his wonder talk, sharing his amusement over cell phones being the most interesting innovation for mankind (in his opinion). “Years ago could you have ever imagined speaking to your loved ones who are miles away, in just a few seconds? I remember in the good old days we’d await a telegram and at times scream into the phone when we’d receive or make a trunk call,” he recalls with nostalgia.
He then asks me, almost teasing, “So what do you think will be the next big innovation in mobile phones?” I simply say, “No clue.” And toss the question back at him.
Abdul says beaming, “I believe there will come a time when I will simply think of someone - a family member or a friend perhaps- and the phone will sense it, and dial the person’s number.” Aziz looks at me through the rear mirror, raising his eyebrows, awaiting my reaction. I marvel at his vision and burst out laughing at how simple and true it could be. He joins in laughing.
“Oh babyji, Mumbai is a city of dreams. We all have the license to dream. For all you know some guy must be already working on it while we are stuck in this traffic. Maybe it will be a girl’s invention, no? Girls are such achievers these days,” says Abdul honking frantically at the car in front.
