An Auto Drivers Perspective on why we break the law!
On Sunday the roads in Mumbai are generally empty in the mornings and it is easy to get around without getting choked in the traffic. Last Sunday I decided to take an auto since securing a safe parking place in Bombay even on a Sunday is a challenge. I got chatting with the auto driver as he drove me through the empty roads and he stopped at the right light. The traffic behind him kept honking until he decided to move on through the red light. I asked him why we have such scant respect for Red lights and the law. His wisdom in the matter was interesting, he told me it was not corruption that made people break the law, it was the fact that first they may not get caught at all. If they got caught at a signal by the police officer one could negotiate to be let off without a receipt, but if one insisted you could still pay the mandatory fine and get a receipt. His observation was the fine was so petty that no one worried about breaking the law, there were no harsh punishment like cancella...