uring the period I worked for the Hospitality Industry, I travelled across the length and breadth of India by Rail. Most of these visits were to attend the Tourism Fairs both Inbound and Outbound, Domestic as well as International. Hence we would spend around 90 days on the Train shuttling between various Cities wherever the Fair Moved. All Major Railways stations have a guest house attached which the Travelers on short visits can occupy by paying the prescribed room rent, subject to availability. However you must have an onward or return tickets. The maximum period allowed is two days. However if there are two occupants then after two days you may reregister by interchanging the names. Thereby you can stay continuously for four days without vacating the room. Thereafter you have to vacate but can return after a few days gap. The Tourism Fairs normally last for three days. Hence this serves the purpose well.
The advantages of staying in the guest house are plenty. Transport is available 24 hours for any destination. The rooms are spacious cheap and clean with complimentary tea and newspaper. Dormitories are also available. There are cafeterias for dining. In any emergency just walk down the stairs and catch any train that leaves the station.
Once we had a situation when we were required to stay for a week. So after the first two days and the subsequent interchange of names which gave us an extension of another two days, the manager told us that we must vacate as no second extension can be granted. We pleaded for another interchange of names as my colleague was handicapped. The manager told us that it was not possible and directed us to the General Manager. When we explained the situation to the General Manager, he told us to tell the Manager to re-register us by interchanging the names. Sir, but we have already availed that once and the Manager says that second extension is not possible without a gap of few days according to the “Law”. He quickly responded and said “Tell the Manager that the “Law” in this country has gone to the Jungle. So we returned to the Manager and after quoting what the Big Boss had said, the Lady Manager smiled and gave us the extension.
Sadly we find that the Jungle Law has over taken the Legal Law in our system. Take for instance the plight of the Senior Citizens. Almost every facility which was reserved or granted to them stands withdrawn. No special Queues, no discount fares, no priority for service, no reserved seats, In simple words, No one cares for them anymore except on election voting day.
Illegal constructions have sprung overnight by destroying Fields, Orchards and even grazing grounds. If complaints are lodged then namesake inspections are held but the construction work continues under the patronage of the Musclemen. Whereas those wanting to legally construct a dwelling are made to run from Pillar to post and get all sorts of NOCs and documents and wait for years. These activities have strong backing from the Village Panchayats who issue them occupancy certificates and house numbers on the pretext of earning revenue. Complaints lodged with the BDOs and Dy. Collectors have not yielded any result.
Though there are Sound volume regulations, these are implemented for private social functions. Whereas the coastal people are made to face the brunt of this ear piercing noise on the pretext of promotion of Tourism. The Religious Festivals are not excluded from this activity. Despite several petitions and judgements from the Courts, the violations continue unabated.
Politicians jump parties for the sake of “Development” by abusing the anti-defection law. When complaints are lodged, the response is Tariq per Tariq. However when the ruling party members defect then the judgements come within a few hours, maximum a day. Constituencies are developed on the basis of boundaries. If a road passes through two constituencies then only the segment which falls in that particular MLAs constituency is developed even though all pay taxes.
Garbage including toxic waste is strewn on road sides and even in rivers. It lies there until someone wakes up or some Institution decides to clean the place. Interestingly the culprits seem to enjoy the view every time they pass the road either when they go to work or are returning home. They may even dump more the next day assuming it’s all well for the environment. Many more things are remaining to be said but most of it is Unprintable. Sadly this is the state of our affairs. The Laws are there only to harass the innocent and the honest. The Rest are going by the Jungle Law.
