D Traveller

The sudden trip to Tumkur!! and the funny,scary,amusing incident in the night time!!

At around 10:30 PM in the night I decide that I should go for a bike ride. It was Friday night so plan was to come back by Saturday evening and driving approx 350 Kms to and fro.

Original plan -- Go to Hassan and see if I can go to Chikmagalur.

What happened -- Packed the bag (items those went into the bag - pen,cigarette pack,diary,water bottle,facewash) and left home at around 11 PM. After driving for 10 mins I realize I dont have cash and there is minimal petrol in the bike.

So I am off to Udupi Garden petrol bunk for refueling the tank. Thats when I came to know that they wont except credit card from 10:30 in the night till 6 in the morning. I was lucky that I had Rs 200 hundred in cash so I got my bike's petrol tank filled for Rs 200 worth of fuel,thinkingI'll see what can be done later on with regards to refueling,and I am on my way.

Next stop SBI ATM in BTM 1st stage and got loaded with cash( with whatever was left in my account).

I take the road to Yashwantpur going towards Tumkur. Based on my estimation I thought atleast I'll be able to make to Tumkur and will be able to return with some fuel still left for the week.

I am some 20 Kms ( approx.) from Tumkur when I see Jaz toll company's toll collection gate*.

I am stopped for questioning as I am a suspicious character travelling at night time for no reason.

The field officer Vaid Murthy had the following questions
Most frequent question " Why are you going to Tumkur?"
Followed by less frequent question " Itni raat gaye kya akele! kyun be kya lafda hai?"

It took me 20 mins to explain him that I am just going for ride. He checked my bag,purse,windcheater.

Finally he asks me which religion do I belong to and proof of that. I told him I am Jain and showed him the picture I have in my wallet. His comment --" Tu Hindu hai isleye chod raha hoon agar Musalman hota tho abhi thane le jata"

I was just dumbstruck thinking should I thank god or should I blame somebody for this condition.


* Some 11,000 vehicles cross this gate/day.