Its very common in rural / sub-urban Odisha to see groups of kids, blocking the road and extorting money from motorists. Extortion may be too harsh a word as, this happens primarily around Dushera / Diwali and ideally the money raised should go towards the festivities of that area.
However, like in any other org one can think off, the money does not always go to the "puja" ! A bunch of adolescent finds a few days of alcohol ! So, government have made certain regulations around not blocking the road and collecting money.
However, as we headed to a small temple 50kms away from the City, a small town on the way had an interesting set up in the main crowded part. Few vehicles blocking the ONLY way to go across the town. While stuck in that mess, a good Samaritan walks to the car window, and offers an advice.
"This road has bad traffic today. It will take you 1 hr to cross this town. Why do not you take a right and take the road in front of the village school that by-passes the jam ?"
Then he, helps in that right jam, to reverse our direction and divert in to the bypass. We thanked him, took some land marks and went on,,, it was a scenic green road, which was clear.
Until we got road blocked for extortion that to ; ) Toll for better quality transport !! What a neat arrangement to move this activity to a side road, little bit more hidden from the glaring eyes .. indeed !!!
However, like in any other org one can think off, the money does not always go to the "puja" ! A bunch of adolescent finds a few days of alcohol ! So, government have made certain regulations around not blocking the road and collecting money.
However, as we headed to a small temple 50kms away from the City, a small town on the way had an interesting set up in the main crowded part. Few vehicles blocking the ONLY way to go across the town. While stuck in that mess, a good Samaritan walks to the car window, and offers an advice.
"This road has bad traffic today. It will take you 1 hr to cross this town. Why do not you take a right and take the road in front of the village school that by-passes the jam ?"
Then he, helps in that right jam, to reverse our direction and divert in to the bypass. We thanked him, took some land marks and went on,,, it was a scenic green road, which was clear.
Until we got road blocked for extortion that to ; ) Toll for better quality transport !! What a neat arrangement to move this activity to a side road, little bit more hidden from the glaring eyes .. indeed !!!
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