This article was first published in the Open Circuit, the BMSCE ECE newletter
Two of my friends and I, got a chance to participate in a national level project competition held in Mumbai. After getting the prototype ready, we left for Mumbai in a train.
We reached Mumbai, Dadar station to be precise at about 9 pm. We had booked in a lodge, in Andheri and had planned to take a taxi beforehand. Just like in the movies, when we got down from the train, we were swarmed with taxi drivers to take their’s.
And we agreed upon a “fellow” driver’s offer for 350 bucks. Our luggage was snatched away and soon we were walking towards the taxi stand. After a minute, our luggage was put inside a trademark black and yellow taxi and we three were made to sit at the back. The driver and the “fellow” occupied the front seats.
But, the vehicle never moved and instead, they started speaking among themselves. After few seconds we heard that they wanted change for 1000 rupees. I shook my head saying we didn’t have. However, my companion took out his wallet and offered to clear their transaction. Big mistake!
Apparently, this friend didn’t have the required change and now they demanded that we pay the taxi fare. I took out my wallet and handed over a 500 rupee note. The driver, after careful examination pointed a small cut in the note and said that it was not fit for him! I promptly took it back and handed over another.
The biggest surprise came now, when they told to pay the money. I told them I have already given 500 rupees. But, they said they have given it back since that note was torn. I said “yeah, I have got it back, but I have also given other note”. They asked my friends if I had given any other note. My friends looked as surprised as I was and didn’t speak a word because they hadn’t seen my giving the other 500. The “fellow” and the taxi driver showed their pockets and for sure there was not a 500 note to be found. I felt embarrassed and thought I hadn’t given it. So, I paid the taxi fare of 350.
Soon, they told we had to shift to another taxi and started carrying our luggage out. They put down our luggage on an old taxi and an older sardar started driving it.
I checked my wallet now and started counting the money in it and I found that it had 500 less! We were deceived big time. The new driver looked innocent and there was nothing that we could do about it now. Later my friend told that the police at the railway station, (after seeing us going with the “fellow” taxi driver) had advised to take a pre-paid taxi. I was left fuming and the whole taxi journey revolved around this.
We had got a royal welcome in Mumbai and we were to stay there for a week!
The royalty continued with our finding of bed bugs that night! A bad omen? Perhaps, not!
On the first day, we arrived at the Bombay Exhibition Centre to set up our model and we smiled for the first time after reaching Mumbai because it was working just fine. The next three days were hectic to say the least. We had to explain the same stuff again and again to hundreds of visitors. The visitors included high profile guests (like Dr. R. Chidambaram, Chief Scientific Advisor of Indian Govt included), executives of various companies, international delegates, exhibitors, students and even the general public (on the last day)! At the end of each day, though our heart wanted to explore the city, our body didn’t have the strength.
On the fourth day afternoon, all the teams assembled in an auditorium for the prize distribution ceremony. Honestly, we didn’t have any hope to win a prize. However, God had different plan for us. I only heard BMS College being announced for the second prize and don’t remember anything at all of what happened next until I was stepping down from the dais, with a cheque of 1 lakh rupees. So much for fretting about the 500 bucks!
On the last day, we roamed. We tried different types of public transport (local trains, double decker buses, autos). The marine drive is beautiful, so is the Gate Way of India. We were tired, but happy. Once again we took a taxi to Dadar railway station (without any hiccups) and boarded our train.
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