REHANA BLOGS

Once upon my visit to India , I met a transvestite on a train, who proceeded to take my specs off of my nose, and demand one hundred rupees should I want them back! This was way after the times when transvestites, or rather, Chhackas, as they are known in Hindi, were socially acceptable. Historically, the Chhacko has always been a very mystical figure, an oddity rather, to be feared, but never understood! They had no rights, and were treated with as much contempt as rabid dogs. In this day and age, however, it is socially acceptable for a Chhacko to board any train, overcrowded or not, and demand rights, whether or not they be his! As an interloper in the train (did I mention that I was traveling without a ticket? It all comes under the rule, When in India, do as the Indians), I couldn’t very well raise a racket, for that would bring the ticket collector scrambling through the masses of teeming humans to my side, and I was rightly wary of being charged a hefty fine. Reluctantly fis...

The Indian Auto Rickshaw (pronounced ‘Riksha’ in South India ), is typically a dull yellow conveyance with a two cylinder engine and excessive exhaust fumes. Having never sat in one before, I watched with some trepidation as a passer-by hailed one, harangued over the price with the driver, got in, and braced himself for the ride. When it started moving, I understood why. I was standing outside Chennai International Airport , on my first trip to India . The air was different, the people were different, the language was different. But it didn’t take me long to notice, that of the all differences, it was the difference in transport that was truly different! Gone were the ‘matatus’ that are so abundant in Kenya . Gone were the clear streets, and the greenery in the cities. Gone were those red metro buses that have fixed rates. In fact, a fixed rate for transport is a design that is not only not common in India , but sometimes if you mention it, you’ll be the cause of a few good laughs!...